BYD to Unveil Its First Solid-State Battery Vehicle in 2027

    BYD will unveil its first vehicle model powered by a solid-state battery in 2027. According to the company's executive vice president, Stella Li, BYD is leading the development and commercialization of this technology. The model's name and specifications have not yet been disclosed. It will be the company's first model to use a solid-state battery.    The plan is in line with the roadmap announced by BYD's battery division, FinDreams, in February 2025. Test demonstrations and the initial installation of the batteries in vehicles will begin in 2027. Mass production is expected to begin around 2030. Solid-state batteries will initially be used in expensive models. At the same time, BYD will not abandon lithium iron phosphate batteries and will retain both technologies in vehicles at different price levels.    In today's lithium-ion batteries, energy-carrying ions pass between the positive and negative terminals through a liquid solution. In solid-state batteries, this liquid is replaced by a solid material made from an oxide, polymer or sulfide. BYD is working on a sulfide-based version.    Such batteries can store more energy in the same amount of space. As a result, the battery can be made smaller and lighter, while increasing the distance a vehicle can travel on a single charge. Faster charging is also expected. In addition, this design has a lower risk of ignition, and the battery may operate more reliably during sharp temperature changes.    The technology's main problem is its high production cost. Therefore, BYD may initially use the new battery in more expensive vehicles, possibly in one of the future Denza Z versions. Toyota also plans to put vehicles powered by solid-state batteries on sale in 2027 or 2028. In other words, BYD is not alone in this field, and the race among manufacturers has already moved into the testing stage.    Mercedes-Benz is testing an EQS model with a solid-state battery and plans to bring the technology to market by the end of the decade. Stellantis began road tests this year with a Dodge Charger using the same type of battery. Honda also formed a partnership with QuantumScape this year. The company believes the new batteries will help it achieve its carbon neutrality target for 2050.