Image: SVOLTSVOLT Chairman Yang Hongxin outlined the production timeline in a video published on Weibo on Tuesday. According to the announcement, series production of the semi-solid-state batteries will start in September, followed shortly by integration into multiple vehicle models. In addition, “By then, the 100 kWh battery version will also achieve large-scale mass production,” reports CnEVPost, citing the video. Production costs are expected to match those of conventional lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes.Semi-solid-state batteries represent a technology positioned between traditional lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes and solid-state batteries with fully solid electrolytes. They use a combination of liquid and solid materials in the electrolyte, often referred to as a solid-liquid hybrid. Battery manufacturers believe this technology will deliver improved safety, higher energy density, and a longer lifespan compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries.To date, few semi-solid-state batteries are available on the market, and even fewer solid-state batteries exist, prompting fierce competition among battery manufacturers to lead in these technologies. SVOLT, currently China’s tenth-largest battery manufacturer, is now poised to make its move. SVOLT CEO Yang Hongxin is convinced that 2026 will be the year in which hybrid solid-liquid batteries gain broad acceptance and the technology achieves large-scale market introduction.In mid-2025, the Chairman previously announced plans for trial production in Q4 2025 and series production in 2027. However, based on the latest information, the series production launch has now been brought forward to Q3 2026. Earlier statements indicated that SVOLT’s first-generation semi-solid-state batteries would achieve an energy density of 300 Wh/kg. The company is already targeting 360 Wh/kg for a second generation, which is currently in development.According to an earlier report by CN EV Post, SVOLT will supply semi-solid-state batteries for the next generation of models from BMW’s Mini brand. A possible connection: SVOLT was spun off from the Chinese automotive group Great Wall Motor (GWM) in 2018, which, in a joint venture with BMW, produces the Mini Cooper Electric and the Mini Aceman. Additionally, in 2023, there were rumours of a billion-euro deal between BMW and SVOLT. Nevertheless, Mini has not yet been officially confirmed as one of the first recipients of SVOLT’s semi-solid-state batteries.SVOLT is also developing all-solid-state batteries. However, in his video message, Yang Hongxin emphasised that commercialisation will require a very long-term effort. He therefore expects semi-solid-state batteries to represent the dominant technological path until this technology achieves large-scale production.cnevpost.com
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