Chery to Invest $1.5 Billion in Solid-State Batteries, Initiate Vehicle Road Tests in 2026, Targeting 400 Wh/kg Rhino Battery for 2027 Production Vehicles

BigGo Finance China

Overview

Chinese automaker Chery Automobile announced plans to invest 10 billion yuan (approx. $1.5 billion) and deploy 1,200 engineers to commence road testing of all-solid-state batteries in 2026. The company’s Rhino Battery lineup includes all-solid-state cells achieving an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, roughly double that of current EV batteries. Chery is focusing on sulfide-based solid electrolytes and high-nickel ternary cathodes, aiming for vehicle validation in 2027, thereby aggressively advancing early commercialization of solid-state battery technology.

In Depth

Chery Automobile, a leading Chinese automaker, has unveiled ambitious plans and a significant investment strategy for the commercialization of all-solid-state battery technology. The company is committing substantial capital and human resources to achieve mass production within the next few years.

Key Findings

• $1.5 Billion Investment and Engineering Force: Chery plans to invest 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.5 billion USD) over two years, dedicating 1,200 engineers to the development and testing of all-solid-state batteries. This massive investment underscores the company’s strong commitment to the technology.
• Vehicle Road Tests to Commence in 2026: The company announced that it will begin road testing vehicles equipped with all-solid-state batteries in 2026. This marks a crucial step towards real-world performance validation and refinement.
• Unveiling 400 Wh/kg Rhino Battery: Chery’s new ‘Rhino Battery’ lineup features all-solid-state cells that achieve a high energy density of 400 Wh/kg. This performance is approximately double that of current mainstream EV batteries, promising significantly extended driving ranges.
• Targeting 2027 for Vehicle Validation: Chery has set a clear timeline, aiming to initiate vehicle validation of its all-solid-state batteries in 2027, indicating a focused effort for rapid market introduction.

Technical & Clinical Details

Chery’s Rhino Battery integrates a sulfide-based solid electrolyte with a high-nickel ternary cathode. Sulfide-based solid electrolytes are considered a leading technical route for all-solid-state batteries due to their high ionic conductivity and favorable mechanical properties. This configuration significantly reduces the risks of dendrite formation and thermal runaway associated with liquid electrolytes, thereby enhancing safety and battery lifespan. An energy density of 400 Wh/kg implies that an EV with, for instance, a current range of 600km could achieve the same range with a smaller, lighter battery pack, or potentially extend its range to around 1,200km with a comparable pack size. This technological leap has the potential to reduce EV costs, weight, and dependence on extensive charging infrastructure.

Background & Context

All-solid-state batteries are widely recognized as the next pivotal technology in the electric vehicle industry, driving an intense global development race among automakers. They promise to surpass traditional liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion batteries in safety, energy density, and charging speed, positioning them as a ‘game-changer’ to further accelerate EV adoption. The announcement of such substantial investment and a clear roadmap by a major automaker like Chery signals that the practical realization of all-solid-state batteries is becoming increasingly tangible. Notably, China, with strong government backing, is advancing all-solid-state battery technology as a national strategy to bolster the competitiveness of its domestic EV industry.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

Chery’s planned road tests in 2026 and vehicle validation target for 2027 suggest that all-solid-state battery technology is not a distant future prospect but is rapidly approaching implementation. If the company’s ‘Rhino Battery’ can demonstrate its projected high performance and safety as planned, Chery stands to gain a significant competitive edge in the EV market. However, challenges such as scalability in mass production, cost reduction, and ensuring long-term reliability under diverse operating conditions remain critical hurdles for commercial success. Chery’s bold move is expected to influence other automakers and battery suppliers, intensifying the solid-state battery development race.

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