CATL, the world's largest battery maker, has reaffirmed its timeline for all-solid-state batteries, saying it expects to start small-batch production in 2027. The company disclosed the plan on October 27 in response to an investor query on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange's interactive platform, according to Gasgoo.
CATL said it is making steady progress in solid-state technology, which it considers a leading position in the industry. The company has built a 10Ah-level validation platform and is now developing 20Ah sulfide-based solid-state samples, targeting an energy density of about 500 Wh/kg.
In its 2025 annual report, CATL said R&D spending reached 22.147 billion yuan (about $3.12 billion), up 19.02% year-on-year, with a solid-state battery team of more than 1,000 people. However, chairman Robin Zeng previously noted at the Summer Davos Forum that the technology maturity is only at level 4 on a scale of 1 to 9, acknowledging engineering and cost challenges remain before industrialization.
Industry-wide race to 2027
CATL's target aligns with a broader industry push. Samsung SDI has set its own mass production goal for the second half of 2027, while Toyota is preparing its sulfide-based route for a similar timeframe. BYD has also stated it aims for small-batch production in 2027.
The convergence of timelines among leading Chinese, Japanese, and Korean battery makers signals that the engineering race for next-generation battery technology has entered a critical phase.
Solid-state batteries are seen as a potential breakthrough for electric vehicles, offering higher energy density and improved safety compared to conventional lithium-ion cells. However, challenges in manufacturing and cost remain significant hurdles before widespread adoption.
