At the GAC TECH DAY 2024 held on April 12, GAC Group introduced its all-solid-state battery technology, which is expected to be deployed onto Hyper-branded models by 2026.

Li Jin, head of GAC AION's battery R&D department, explained that the all-solid-state battery boasts higher energy density, intrinsic safety, and a broader operational temperature range. He described the development of this battery technology as challenging as "climbing Mount Everest," requiring breakthroughs in materials, design, manufacturing, and integration.

Photo credit: GAC AION

The battery uses a 100% solid-state electrolyte and features ultra-high energy density, robust intrinsic safety (primarily at the cell level), and an extensive temperature range for operation. It has moved "from the lab to large-scale production application."

With the third generation of sponge silicon anode and high-capacity solid-state cathode technologies, the new full-solid-state battery achieves an energy density over 400 Wh/kg. This represents a volume energy density increase of more than 52% and a mass energy density increase of more than 50% compared to existing mass-produced liquid-state lithium-ion batteries, enabling a range of over 1,000 kilometers. In terms of safety, it can withstand puncturing and cutting without failure and endure temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius, said the carmaker.

At the Auto Guangzhou 2023 in last November, GAC Group announced its plan to deploy all-solid-state batteries in vehicles by 2026. Later, in early February this year, GAC AION revealed the latest progress in the development of the Hyper solid-state battery, hitting an energy density exceeding 350 Wh/kg.

Last year, GAC AION's laboratory announced the completion of interface modification technology trials for solid-state batteries and revealed new technological breakthroughs. This technology is expected to reduce battery life degradation by 50%. After 150 charging cycles, the battery can maintain more than 90% of its original capacity.