The FAW Hongqi group announced its first ever solid-state battery powered prototype just before the New Year. The breakthrough technology was installed in a Hongqi Tiangong 06 and has completed trial production. This development is in line with FAW’s plans to introduce solid-state battery-equipped production models from 2027, starting with selected flagship sedans and SUVs.
Solid-state batteries are generally considered to be the next technology milestone for batteries due to their high power density and improved safety. Hongqi stated that their R&D team achieved significant breakthroughs in critical areas including sulfide electrolytes, 10-Ah cell performance, and 60-Ah cell manufacturing. In addition, Hongqi also announced progress in high-voltage-resistant battery module packaging and system-level lightweight integration which are vital for electrical insulation, structural integration, and packaging efficiency within existing electric vehicle architectures.
As of the time of writing, Hongqi has not disclosed the energy density of the solid-state battery installed in the Tiangong 06 or the vehicle range. However, the data currently suggests that a fully functional EV with a solid-state battery could drive for up to 1,000 km on a single charge. In addition, there is a chance that solid-state batteries will be introduced for special long-range variants of Hongqi's vehicles. Industry forecasts suggest that all-solid-state batteries could enter small-batch vehicle deployment in China by as early as 2026, with early implementations expected to achieve energy densities of 350 – 400 Wh/kg. By 2030, this number is expected to increase to 400 – 500 Wh/kg, and over 500 Wh/kg by 2035.
The progress and introduction of solid-state batteries in EVs are not isolated to FAW Hongqi as other car manufacturers around the world are also rapidly developing their own or are even planning to release their own solid-state battery equipped cars. In China, Dongfeng Motors already announced its plans to roll out its own 1,000 km range solid-state battery-equipped models by November 2026, while major battery manufacturers such as CATL and BYD are expected to begin small-scale vehicle integration of solid-state batteries by 2027.
By contrast, Volkswagen Group showed off its first solid-state battery powered vehicle, a Ducati V21L electric motorcycle in September 2025 at IAA Munich. The Volkswagen Group has invested in the US solid-state battery specialist, QuantumScape, since 2012. The company currently has plans to license its technology to enable its battery subsidiary, PowerCo, to produce the solid-state cells. Another battery developer, Factorial, has secured carmakers Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis as partners.
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