BYD intends to launch its first electric vehicle equipped with a solid-state battery in 2027, according to Stella Li, the company’s Executive Vice President, who said that BYD holds the “leading position” in this field in terms of technology and commercialization. The announced plan does not yet include the model name, its specifications, or the exact launch date.
Li made the comments in an interview with Carwow.es that discussed BYD’s expansion in Spain and Europe and the launch of the luxury Denza brand. She explained that the company’s research and development teams are studying a wide range of battery technologies, including battery chemistries, manufacturing processes, and the equipment required for large-scale production.
Plan Extending from Limited Production to Mass Manufacturing
BYD’s FinDreams unit aims to begin producing limited batches of all-solid-state batteries based on sulfide electrolytes during 2027, with production expected to reach mass-production levels by 2030. However, this plan does not mean that vehicles equipped with these batteries will become widely available immediately; the source indicates that the broader commercial transition may be delayed until 2029 or 2030.
Lian Yubo, Chief Scientist at BYD Group, said at a conference held in April that all-solid-state electric-vehicle batteries had reached a “critical stage,” while obstacles remained to be overcome before commercial marketing could begin. Therefore, the 2027 announcement represents a target date for a vehicle or initial production, not evidence that the supply chain is complete or that the technology is ready for mass production.
What Changes in Practice?
According to Sun Huajun, Chief Technology Officer at Shenzhen BYD Lithium Battery Co., sulfide electrolytes offer longer life and greater stability than conventional liquid lithium-ion batteries, with promises of improved safety, charging speed, and driving range. However, these advantages were presented in company statements and were not supported in the material by independent test figures or specifications for a production vehicle.
According to the source, the technology is likely to begin in BYD’s higher-priced brands, such as Denza, Yangwang, and Feng Chang Bao, before reaching higher-volume models. This approach reflects an attempt to initially limit a highly complex and costly technology to segments that can absorb it, rather than introducing it directly into widely available vehicles.
A Race That Has Not Yet Been Decided
BYD is not moving toward 2027 alone; Geely, Changan Auto, and CATL in China are targeting a similar date, while plans from Toyota, Stellantis, and Mercedes-Benz point to the launch of solid-state batteries during the same period. Mercedes-Benz has also tested a modified EQS that covered more than 745 miles, or approximately 1,200 kilometers, using solid-state cells from Factorial Energy.
certi.news analysis: The most important development here is the shift of solid-state batteries from repeated research promises to an announced timetable from some of the largest electric-vehicle manufacturers, linked to a plan for limited production followed by mass manufacturing. However, the race is still based on competing statements and plans, while manufacturability, cost, reliability, and the ability to supply consistent cells on a large scale remain open questions. Therefore, 2027 should be treated as a potential starting point for limited deployment, not as a confirmed turning point for the entire electric-vehicle market.