China just released the world's first definition of what a solid-state battery actually is

There’s been a lot of discussion surrounding a move to solid-state batteries, but what exactly is a solid-state battery, and what does it mean for the future of EVs?

Since the earliest EVs hit the market some 30 years ago, they’ve been supported by lithium-ion power units.

Huge deposits of the material have put China in a leading position for the development of batteries, and the country has nearly squeezed every inch of power out of them.

In a bid to increase electric vehicle capabilities, the solid-state battery is on its way.

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What is a solid-state battery?

As we’ve seen from carmakers like BYD, Chinese EVs have improved drastically over the past year alone, and this is, in part, due to battery advancements.

But engineers believe there’s still a lot more progress to be made.

The next step is to replace lithium-ion power units as we know them with solid-state batteries.

The solid-state battery promises faster charging, improved safety, a longer lifespan, and an increase in single-charge range; the latter being a huge selling point for brands.

But after releasing semi-solid-state batteries earlier this year, China is getting closer than ever to releasing its first fully-solid unit, even as soon as this year.

Now, China’s National Automotive Standardization Technical Committee has classified exactly what defines a solid-state battery.

Most of the technical jargon in the report is regarding the materials, which would see the liquid anode (lithium graphite) replaced by a solid metal.

This would allow the particles to be packed more densely and therefore generate more power.

But the big classification is that ‘a battery must not exceed a 0.5 percent weight loss rate under vacuum drying conditions,’ which now defines the difference between ‘semi-solid’ and ‘solid’.

This technical minefield might sound confusing, but it means carmakers have to meet specific markers with their solid-state batteries.

Why are solid-state batteries important and who is winning the race to develop them?

The importance of the solid-state battery cannot be downplayed as it looks like most lithium-ion packs have reached their limits.

Instead, the likes of the Huawei solid-state unit promise nearly double the range of anything on the market right now.

Brands like Toyota are leading the way in this department, set to roll out their in-house battery by 2027.

Others, including BMW and Dongfeng, are edging closer, too, with the latter even set to trial these units in its Chinese EVs this year.

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