CATL, the world's biggest EV battery maker, said on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, that its all-solid-state battery program has moved from a 10 Ah-class validation platform to 20 Ah sample trials. The update came in answers to investors on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange's Hudongyi platform, CarNewsChina reports. CATL is aiming for an energy density of about 500 Wh/kg and still plans small-batch production in 2027, with large-scale manufacturing around 2030.
Key facts
- Chemistry: sulfide-based solid electrolyte. Electrek notes that keeping solid parts in stable contact is still a hurdle.
- Team: more than 1,000 people work on the program, per CarNewsChina.
- Readiness: chairman Robin Zeng said in June that all-solid-state batteries are only at level four on a nine-level scale.
- Market position: Electrek, citing SNE Research, says CATL held 39.9% of the global EV battery market in the first half of 2026.
What CATL hasn't said
CarNewsChina stresses that 500 Wh/kg is a target, not a confirmed production spec. CATL hasn't given trial output, carmaker customers, a vehicle launch date or its anode design. Durability, yield and cost will decide whether the cells make it into cars.
The race
Toyota with Idemitsu aims to commercialize sulfide all-solid-state batteries in 2027–2028. Samsung SDI targets mass production in the second half of 2027, and BYD plans limited batches in 2027. Startups are moving too: see QuantumScape's planned 100 MWh line.
