While all-solid-state batteries are under accelerated development for mass production, semi-solid batteries have officially entered the consumer market. In April 2026, NIO began small-batch deliveries of its 150kWh semi-solid battery pack for over 1,000km range. SAIC launched the world’s first mass-produced semi-solid battery vehicle at an affordable price, with more models to follow. Still, semi-solid batteries cost significantly more than mainstream ternary lithium batteries. Industry forecasts show China’s semi-solid battery installation will grow rapidly in the next few years, becoming a mature and scalable transitional solution.
The competition for all-solid-state batteries has intensified in patent layout. Global patent applications surged in Q1 2026, with Chinese manufacturers including FAW, CATL and Gotion as major contributors. Toyota leads in core patents with mature joint mass-production plans, while China excels in manufacturing efficiency, forming a long-term technological and industrial rivalry with Japan.
Major automakers are pushing forward a "de-CATL" strategy. Despite CATL’s dominant global market share, car brands such as BYD and Changan are strengthening independent battery R&D and supply chain control. BYD has made major progress in self-developed semi-solid and all-solid-state batteries with operational pilot lines. CATL adopts a dual technical route and plans small-batch all-solid-state production by 2027.
Sodium-ion batteries have achieved a rapid cost turnaround. CATL will realize mass production by late 2026 after breaking through key manufacturing bottlenecks, joined by BYD and Sunwoda in aggressive layout. Driven by falling material costs and improved production yields, sodium-ion batteries are expected to reach cost parity with LFP batteries soon, and even gain obvious cost advantages once raw material prices fluctuate. They have been widely applied in energy storage projects, featuring excellent wide-temperature performance.
As early electric vehicle batteries reach retirement age, battery recycling is set to become a huge market. However, the industry faces problems including low capacity utilization of formal enterprises and rampant unregulated recycling. Leading brands are building closed-loop recycling systems to promote standardized and coordinated industrial development.
Global battery policies have shifted from subsidy incentives to green low-carbon regulation. The EU rolled out the battery passport system, and the U.S. raised tariffs on Chinese battery raw materials and energy storage products. In response, Chinese battery firms are speeding up overseas layout, supply chain diversification and global strategic deployment to adapt to differentiated international rules.