BYD chief scientist Lian Yubo said solid-state batteries have entered a “critical breakthrough stage,” while emphasising that commercialisation remains constrained by multiple technical and industrial barriers, according to Sina.

Speaking at a China automotive policy seminar, Lian stated that the transition from pilot-line output to large-scale vehicle deployment still faces challenges in engineering complexity, cost control, and production yield.

At the materials level, he identified solid-solid interface stability and lithium dendrite suppression as core bottlenecks limiting further progress.

Full-chain development logic

Beyond material challenges, Lian introduced a system-level development framework linking user demand to battery design.

He said the industry must establish a full-chain logic from “user demand to vehicle targets, system requirements, and finally cell design,” rather than focusing only on material-level improvements.

This approach requires automakers to participate directly in defining battery cells, translating requirements such as range, lifespan, charging performance, environmental adaptability, and safety into measurable system-level targets, including thermal management, mechanical integrity, and electrochemical performance.

Solid-state is not the only path

Lian said solid-state batteries are not the sole direction of development, noting that liquid lithium-ion technology will continue advancing in energy density and environmental adaptability.

He added that multiple battery chemistries are expected to coexist across different vehicle segments, depending on cost and performance requirements.

This aligns with BYD’s parallel approach, where sulfide-based solid-state batteries target small-batch production around 2027, while sodium-ion batteries are being developed with a reported cycle life of up to 10,000 charge cycles, positioning them for long-life, lower-cost applications.

In parallel, BYD continues refining lithium iron phosphate technology through Blade Battery 2.0, with an energy density of about 210 Wh/kg and fast charging from 10% to 70% in about 5 minutes.

2027 pilot production target

BYD maintains its previously disclosed roadmap of pursuing multiple technical routes, with sulfide-based solid-state batteries as a key direction.

The company targets small-batch production around 2027, with demonstration vehicle deployment expected in the same timeframe.

Scaling beyond pilot production is expected to extend into the next decade, with broader adoption dependent on manufacturing maturity and cost reductions.

Scaling up

Chinese industry forums in 2026 continue to highlight that breakthroughs are required not only in materials but also in manufacturing processes, equipment, and system integration.

Recent national-level discussions involving automakers, battery suppliers, and research institutions have focused on aligning these elements to enable large-scale commercialisation.

Industry push

BYD’s timeline aligns with broader industry expectations in China, where 2027 is widely targeted for pilot production of solid-state batteries, followed by gradual scaling toward 2030 and beyond.

The current phase is characterised by coordinated efforts across automakers, material suppliers, and research institutions to address both scientific and industrial constraints.