CATL aims to produce all-solid-state batteries in small batches by 2027, but high-volume production will still face challenges including cost, an executive said.

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Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL, SHE: 300750) is targeting small-volume production of all-solid-state batteries by 2027, an executive said, marking the first time the battery maker has announced a mass-production timetable for the new batteries.

On a score of 1-9 using technology and manufacturing maturity as a rating system, CATL's all-solid-state battery development is currently at a 4, the company's chief scientist Wu Kai said April 28 at the China International Battery Fair (CIBF) 2024 event.

CATL's goal is to reach a score of 7-8 by 2027, meaning it could produce all-solid-state batteries in small batches by then, but high-volume production would still face challenges including cost, Wu said.

Currently, the energy density of liquid lithium batteries can reach 350 Wh/kg, but it is difficult to continue to improve, Wu said.

All-solid-state batteries are excellent in terms of energy density and safety, and have great potential, with energy density expected to reach 500 Wh/kg, according to Wu.

CATL is working toward a goal of gaining a 1 percent share of the all-solid-state battery market, but there are still many scientific issues waiting to be resolved, he said.

The research and development and mass production of all-solid-state batteries is a very tough job, and CATL has cooperated with various parties such as the battery industry chain and universities, according to Wu.

CATL has accumulated more than a decade of R&D in all-solid-state batteries and has formed a solid-state battery and new system battery R&D team of close to 1,000 people, he said.

CATL's partner Nio (NYSE: NIO) announced the 150-kWh semi-solid-state battery when it unveiled the ET7 sedan at the January 9, 2021 Nio Day 2020 event.

After several delays, Nio management said earlier this month that the 150-kWh battery pack would be operational in late April. The company conducted several range challenges on the pack this month, achieving a real-world range of more than 1,000 kilometers on the ET7.

Ouyang Minggao, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor at Tsinghua University, told a solid-state battery forum on January 22 that China needs to develop transitional technology routes such as semi-solid-state batteries, while guarding against the disruptive risks posed by radical all-solid-state battery technology routes.

Ouyang argued that 1 percent is an important market share threshold for automotive technology.

In the process of replacing liquid batteries, an all-solid-state battery share of 1 percent would represent a breakthrough, not 50 percent, he said.

Liquid batteries have a life cycle of at least another 20 years, and it will take at least 20-30 years for solid-state batteries to reach 50 percent market share, Ouyang said.

Nio to put 150-kWh semi-solid battery packs into service in late Apr, CEO says