China’s National Automotive Standardization Technical Committee has released the nation’s—and likely the world’s—first national standard draft for solid-state electric vehicle batteries, setting strict classification rules and a 0.5% allowable weight-loss rate to define this “holy grail” of battery technology. This formalized push aims to bring solid-state batteries, promising greater safety and energy density, closer to the mass market as Chinese giants like CATL and BYD target small-scale production by 2027.
So, what exactly is in this groundbreaking document? Released for public discussion, the standard, officially titled “Solid-State Battery for electric vehicle – Part 1: Terms and Classification,” is designed to cut through industry hype and create a clear, scientific framework, reported CnEVPost. It starts by defining batteries based on how ions move within them, creating three distinct categories: liquid, hybrid solid-liquid, and the coveted all-solid-state battery.
Notably, the draft seems to eliminate the term “semi-solid-state,” a label several domestic brands have used in their marketing. “By setting clear definitions, the committee is ensuring that when a product is labeled ‘solid-state,’ it meets rigorous, consistent criteria,” explains an industry observer familiar with the draft. This move is crucial for building consumer trust and guiding genuine technological development, preventing ambiguity from muddying the waters of innovation.
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The classification system then goes deeper. It breaks down true solid-state batteries by their electrolyte type—such as sulfide, oxide, or polymer—the conducting ion (like lithium or sodium), and whether the cell is optimized for high-energy or high-power applications. This granularity provides a common language for researchers, manufacturers, and regulators, reported CnEVPost, accelerating collaborative progress.
Perhaps the most telling technical benchmark is the strict 0.5% weight-loss rate qualification. This is a key metric for stability and safety, measuring how much electrolyte weight a battery loses under specific conditions. The new national standard is stricter than the 1% rate suggested earlier this year by the China Society of Automotive Engineers, signaling China’s intent to set a high bar for performance and safety from the outset.
“The introduction of this standard is a foundational step,” says a battery researcher at a major Chinese automaker. “It’s not just about defining terms; it’s about aligning the entire industry’s R&D efforts toward a common, high-quality goal. It turns a fragmented race into a coordinated national strategy.” This first document is just the opening installment, with three more parts expected to follow, building a comprehensive regulatory framework as the technology matures.
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The timing is strategic. With Chinese automakers projected to dominate global vehicle sales, maintaining leadership requires controlling the next generation of core technology. CATL and BYD, which already command over 50% of the global EV battery market, are aggressively pursuing solid-state technology. Both have outlined roadmaps targeting initial small-scale production around 2027, with mass production following toward the end of the decade.
Parallel to the standards effort, significant collaborative projects are underway. A major solid-state electrolyte pilot program, backed by CATL, SAIC Motor, and the state-owned Guolian Automotive Power Battery Research Institute Co, recently received regulatory approval. This initiative, named the “All-Solid-State Electrolyte Pilot Production and Testing Validation Capability Construction Project,” focuses on solving one of the biggest hurdles: developing and manufacturing viable solid electrolyte materials at scale.
Why does this all matter for the global EV landscape? China is not just racing to invent solid-state batteries; it is systematically building the entire ecosystem to produce them reliably and at scale. By establishing the world’s first national standard, China is positioning itself to write the rulebook for the next era of battery technology. This moves solid-state batteries from the realm of lab curiosities and marketing claims toward a tangible, standardized component ready for integration into the vehicles of the future, ensuring the country’s electrification lead is built on a solid, and increasingly solid-state, foundation.
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