Chinese state-owned automaker SAIC Motor revealed that one of its electric vehicle (EV) battery suppliers, Qingtao Power, plans to launch mass production of all solid-state batteries (ASSBs) in 2027, according to local reports.

Qingtao Power is reported to have completed construction of an ASSB production line in Anting, Shanghai, with sample battery cells expected to be produced by the end of this year. These will be supplied to SAIC Motor for testing and evaluation in prototype vehicles next year, ahead of expected commercial production in 2027.

SAIC had previously revealed its performance targets for the ASSB cells, including a gravimetric energy density of 400 Wh/kg, a volumetric energy density of 820 Wh/L and a capacity of 75 Ah per cell.

SAIC Motor is looking to take a lead in the race to bring ASSB-powered vehicles to market, having launched a new variant of its MG4 model in September powered by Qingtao semi-solid-state batteries.

ASSBs are seen as safer and offer good energy density compared with current lithium-ion batteries, which typically use flammable liquid electrolytes. Other automakers in China are also developing vehicles powered by ASSBs, including GAC Group, Changan, Chery, BYD and Dongfeng, with mass production expected towards the end of the decade.