FAW Begins Testing Semi-Strong-State Battery With 500 Wh/kg Vitality Density

Assist CleanTechnica’s work by a Substack subscription or on Stripe.


Or help our Kickstarter marketing campaign!

What if, govt editor Zachary Shahan mentioned on the weekly CleanTechnica writers assembly on Wednesday, there was a battery that had twice the ability of a traditional LFP battery and value much less as properly? Out of your lips to God’s ear, Zachary.

On February 10, 2026, CnEVPost reported that China’s FAW — which occurs to be Volkswagen’s main manufacturing accomplice in China — has been testing a semi-solid state battery with 500 Wh/kg of energy in a prototype manufacturing car. The prototype battery is rated at 142 kWh and changed a traditional LFP battery rated at lower than half that quantity. As soon as fitted with the prototype battery, the automobile is alleged to have a spread of 1000 km or extra by the beneficiant Chinese language normal.

Not solely is the ability density at or near the utmost theoretical energy density for batteries, however the price of the batteries is alleged to be decrease than standard LFP batteries as a result of its makes use of low cost, plentiful manganese rather than nickel.

The battery pack was manufactured by FAW subsidiary China Automotive New Vitality Battery (CANEB) and developed collectively by CANEB and a crew led by professor Chen Jun at Nankai College. The researchers went in a distinct course from different firms who’re creating semi-solid state batteries.

As an example, NIO has a prototype 150 kWh semi-solid battery that it rents to clients as a result of it makes the vehicles too costly whether it is included within the buy value. These vehicles are able to touring greater than 650 miles on a single cost.

Swapping Manganese For Nickel

By swapping the costly nickel for manganese, the FAW researchers managed to decrease the price of the hybrid pack and on the similar time gives vitality density commensurate with that of a solid-state battery. “The battery makes use of in situ cured composite electrolyte know-how, which offers excessive ionic conductivity, a large electro-chemical window, robust interfacial compatibility, flame retardancy, and value benefits,” a report by the researchers claims.

The anode has additionally been shaped in situ to extend the battery lifespan and security profile, whereas the lithium-manganese cathode gives an vitality density of 300 mAh/g, greater than double the very best LFP cells can provide.

The vary exams within the prototype FAW automobiles are anticipated to show that greater than 1,000 km on a cost is feasible. At a mean EV effectivity of about 30 kWh per 100 miles, the hybrid battery is predicted to be rated at 500 miles or extra utilizing the EPA normal. The following prototype battery from FAW is predicted to be rated at 200 kWh and provide near 700 miles on a cost. Due to its excellent vitality density, the bodily dimension of the battery pack isn’t any bigger than that of a standard LFP battery.

Defining Phrases

Sharp-eyed readers will decide up on the truth that that is referred to as a “semi-solid state battery.” Getting phrases and definitions is essential to keep away from confusion and misunderstandings. China has established the primary solid-state battery standardization and classification system, which is scheduled to enter impact formally in July.

In that nomenclature system, solid-state batteries are categorized by the quantity of liquid of their electrolyte, and people with 95 % strong electrolyte shall be referred to as hybrid solid-liquid batteries. CATL and different firms take into account the hybrid know-how to be an ideal stopgap answer on the best way to completely solid-state batteries, in keeping with Pocket book Examine.

This present day, true solid-state batteries are costly and have a shorter lifespan that standard or hybrid batteries. One cause for the upper price is that hybrids could be produced on current manufacturing strains, whereas the true solid-state batteries require in depth and costly manufacturing retooling.

The seek for higher batteries continues in laboratories all over the world, however particularly in China. CATL and BYD are presently planning small integration of true solid-state batteries into prototype automobiles in 2027. Dongfeng mentioned final 12 months it expects to start mass manufacturing of solid-state batteries with a 1,000-kilometer vary by September of this 12 months. Final month, FAW introduced that its Hongqi model had positioned its first prototype automobile geared up with solid-state batteries in service, however didn’t disclose its vitality density or the automobile’s vary.

Svolt To Donut Lab: Actually?

There’s a corollary to this battery information. In January, Donut Lab, based mostly in Helsinki, Finland, mentioned at CES 2026 that it’s now producing true solid-state batteries for automobiles with greater than 400 Wh/kg energy density and a lifespan of greater than 100,000 cycles.

“Whereas the benefits are apparent, the way forward for strong state batteries has been a shifting goal continually delayed when firms working in electrification are requested about when they’ll develop into a actuality,” Donut Lab CEO Marko Lehtimäki mentioned.

“At Donut Lab, our reply on strong state batteries being prepared to be used in OEM manufacturing automobiles is now, immediately, not later. Donut Lab has engineered a brand new excessive efficiency strong state Donut Battery that may be scaled to main manufacturing volumes and seen now in actual world use within the Verge Bikes bikes out on the street in Q1.”

Important efficiency claims for the battery included 99 % performance at -30º C and 100º C, fast charging in below 5 minutes, and no have to restrict charging to 80 % to protect battery life.

The corporate’s claims have been challenged by Yang Hongxin, chairman and CEO of Svolt Vitality. “That battery doesn’t exist on this planet,” he advised native media on January 14, 2026. “All of the parameters are contradictory… Any technician with primary data would acknowledge it as a rip-off,” Yang mentioned, in keeping with a report by Xuanyuan Enterprise Overview.

Rip-off is a reasonably harsh phrase, normally reserved to be used by maniacal followers of a sure US president. To bolster his assertions, Yang pointed to claims of 12C charging functionality, excessive low-temperature efficiency, and 400 Wh/kg vitality density.

Svolt maintains a extremely conservative stance on all solid-state batteries. “Too many unresolved points exist; it’s untimely to debate industrialization timelines,” Yang mentioned. “China’s know-how is probably the most superior globally. If China can’t produce or good it, firms from different international locations definitely can’t both. We should possess this confidence,” he added.

Nobody right here at CleanTechnica is a battery scientist, nor have we ever performed one on TV, so we take no place on the claims by Donut Lab or Svolt. We’ll solely say that if one thing sounds too good to be true, it in all probability is. That doesn’t alter the truth that battery analysis and improvement is shifting ahead with nice velocity. As we wish to say, the batteries that may energy our vehicles and vans in 2030 haven’t been invented but.

For individuals who are involved that the EV revolution has been dealt a dying blow by the fossil gasoline crazies, that could possibly be partially true within the US however utterly false in all places else. Tomorrow’s EVs will cost quicker, drive additional, and last more than something accessible immediately, and do all of it at decrease costs. Take coronary heart, EV followers; the very best is but to return. We guaran-damn-tee it, as Al Gore would possibly say.