Chinese manufacturer starts production of solid-state battery: 40% more range for your EV

No more science fiction

Solid-state batteries have long been considered the unicorn of battery technology: impressive on paper, but difficult to make in practice. It is the “holy grail” of battery technology: lighter, more powerful and safer. The widespread introduction of solid-state batteries would revolutionize electric cars. Think EVs that can drive 1000 kilometers on a single charge and recharge in minutes.

The Gemstone battery

So far, they remained mostly pretty promises. But according to the Chinese company Gotion, mass production is within reach. With that, the dream of an EV that can truly compete with gasoline and diesel cars is closer than ever. Gotion is presenting the second generation of its Gemstone solid-state battery and has immediately started production. This solid-state battery cell has a 40% higher energy density than the average lithium-ion battery found in current EVs. So an EV with this battery will get a lot further, without taking up more space.

Safe

Whereas traditional EV batteries still sometimes get negative press because of fire hazards, Gotion claims that the Gemstone is exceptionally safe. The battery passed puncture, pressure and heat tests without a problem.

When can we drive it?

Well, here comes the damper: not for now. At least, not on a large scale. 2030 is mentioned as the year you can expect to see these batteries in a typical EV. So yes, still “in five years. But according to Gotion, the first test cars are on the road with this technology.

Gotion is not nearly as big as battery giants such as BYD and CATL, but still holds a tidy 3.5% of the global EV battery market. BYD and CATL expect to have a production-ready solid-state battery as early as 2027. So the race is on. In the video below, we tell you more about solid-state batteries: