CATL Solid-State Battery Reaches 20 Ah Samples

CATL Solid-State Battery: 20 Ah Samples, Pilot Production in 2027

CATL, the world's largest maker of EV batteries, has moved its solid-state battery project from 10 Ah test cells to 20 Ah samples. The company gave the update in reply to investor questions on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange platform, electrive reported on 29 October, citing Chinese media.

Key takeaways

Test runs now use 20 Ah samples, up from a 10 Ah validation platform.

Pilot production is still planned for 2027; large-scale output is targeted for around 2030.

CATL reportedly aims for about 500 Wh/kg at cell level, but has not confirmed it as a production figure.

More than 1,000 employees work on the project.

What CATL said, and what it did not

The step from 10 Ah to 20 Ah cells is a move towards larger, more practical formats. Car-sized cells still need far higher capacity, so this is a development milestone rather than a product. According to Car News China, CATL has not confirmed the 500 Wh/kg target as a specification for mass-produced cells. It has also not named car customers, a trial output volume or a launch date for a car with these cells.

Little is known about the chemistry. Unconfirmed reports say CATL is focusing on sulphide-based solid electrolytes; the anode design has not been disclosed.

A cautious timeline

In June 2026, CATL chief executive Robin Zeng said that technical and manufacturing problems mean mass-market use is still several years away, and he did not expect volume production before 2030. He also said solid-state batteries would first appear in premium car platforms. At that time CATL rated its own solid-state technology at Technology Readiness Level 4 out of 9, which means laboratory validation and prototypes.

Why solid-state matters

A solid-state battery replaces the liquid or gel electrolyte of a normal lithium-ion cell with a solid one made of sulphide, polymer or oxide materials. In theory this can improve fire safety, energy density, charging speed and battery life, and so the range of an electric car. CATL is not alone: BYD and Toyota are developing the technology, and start-ups such as Factorial and QuantumScape are also working on it. Semi-solid-state cells, which keep a small amount of liquid electrolyte, are already reaching series production at some suppliers.

What it means for you

If you are buying an electric car in the next few years, do not wait for solid-state batteries. By CATL's own timeline, volume production starts around 2030, and the first cars will be expensive premium models. Today's lithium-ion and LFP batteries keep improving in range and charging speed, and a car bought now will not be made obsolete overnight.

Read about current battery cars, ranges and charging in our electric cars section.