BYD says it expects to introduce its first car with a solid-state battery in 2027, with executive Stella Li saying the company is well placed to commercialise the technology. The development matters because solid-state batteries could enable electric cars to travel further, charge faster and operate more safely than vehicles using conventional lithium-ion batteries.

BYD is developing batteries with solid sulphide electrolytes and has previously described a 2027 demonstration, with mass production expected around 2030. The technology is likely to appear first in more expensive models because cost remains a barrier; BYD says solid-state and lithium iron phosphate batteries will serve different vehicle segments. Other manufacturers, including Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Honda, are also pursuing the technology, which remains at an early stage.