Electric vehicles boasting ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometres, charging speeds rivalling refuelling, and virtually eliminating fire risks – these once-aspirational goals are becoming reality with the mass production and integration of semi-solid-state batteries. In August 2025, SAIC MG announced the pre-sale launch of the all-new MG4, with one variant featuring the world’s first mass-produced semi-solid-state battery. This marks the official transition of power battery technology from the liquid battery era to the semi-solid-state battery era. Beyond SAIC, brands including NIO ET9 and Lynk & Co Zhi Guang have also planned variants utilising semi-solid-state batteries. The competitive landscape of the power battery industry is undergoing a period of reshaping.

What is a semi-solid-state battery?

A semi-solid-state battery employs a hybrid solid-liquid electrolyte. This electrolyte exists between liquid and solid states, possessing both fluidity and solid characteristics. Specifically, through an in-situ solidification process, the liquid electrolyte content is reduced to 5%-10%, with the remainder comprising solid materials. This design preserves ionic conductivity efficiency while significantly enhancing safety and energy density.

Its operating principle resembles conventional lithium-ion batteries: during charging, lithium ions detach from the cathode and migrate through the semi-solid electrolyte to the anode; the discharge process reverses this. Electrons flow through the external circuit to form current, enabling the storage and release of electrical energy.

Distinction between Semi-Solid and Solid-State Batteries

Solid-state batteries comprise all components made of solid materials. In contrast, semi-solid batteries utilise a hybrid solid-liquid electrolyte, differing from both conventional liquid batteries and not representing a transitional stage towards full solid-state technology. As emphasised by Miao Wei, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference: ‘Semi-solid batteries remain within the category of liquid batteries and should not be conflated with solid-state batteries.’

Regarding energy density, semi-solid-state batteries typically achieve 350–400 Wh/kg, whereas all-solid-state batteries theoretically exceed 500 Wh/kg. In terms of safety, all-solid-state batteries fundamentally eliminate thermal runaway risks by removing liquid electrolytes entirely. By contrast, while semi-solid-state batteries significantly enhance safety, they retain certain hazards under extreme conditions.

Nevertheless, semi-solid batteries hold practical advantages in cost and manufacturing processes. They can utilise approximately 70% of existing liquid battery production equipment, with conversion costs amounting to just 20% of those for all-solid-state batteries. This cost efficiency is a key factor in their earlier transition to mass production.

Mass Production Timeline: Semi-Solid Leads, All-Solid-State Follows

With semi-solid batteries entering mass production, industry focus has shifted to the deployment timeline for all-solid-state batteries. Multiple experts suggest that truly large-scale mass production of all-solid-state batteries remains several years away. Companies including CATL, BYD, and Guoxuan High-Tech have commenced pilot projects, with initial vehicle integration verification anticipated around 2027. Overseas giants like Toyota and Samsung SDI similarly target 2027 as a pivotal milestone.

China’s Full-Chain Industrial Layout

This battery revolution extends beyond automakers and battery manufacturers, driving upgrades across the entire supply chain. From electrolytes and electrode materials to energy storage and system integration, enterprises are seeking new breakthroughs.

Shanghai Huijue Technology Group is playing an active role in this process. As a key domestic player in energy storage and power solutions, Huijue has accumulated extensive experience in liquid-cooled energy storage, residential photovoltaic-storage systems, and distributed energy. With the expanding application of semi-solid and future all-solid-state batteries, Huijue is exploring how to integrate these novel battery technologies into energy storage systems to enhance both safety and energy density. Notably, Huijue is also actively promoting wind-solar hybrid solutions for residential energy systems, offering customisable options to empower users with greater choice during the energy transition. It is foreseeable that Huijue will evolve beyond being merely an energy storage system provider, positioning itself as a key enabler for the practical implementation of next-generation battery technologies.

The Transitional Value of Semi-Solid-State Batteries

In the short term, semi-solid-state batteries are poised to become the market mainstream within the next five years. They strike an optimal balance between energy density, safety, and cost, while also accumulating valuable industrialisation experience for the further development of all-solid-state batteries. Leading enterprises such as Guoxuan High-Tech, Farasis Energy, and CATL have all announced mass production plans for next-generation semi-solid-state batteries, while system integrators like Huijue are actively exploring their application scenarios.

Looking Ahead

After 2030, as all-solid-state batteries gradually commercialise, both the electric vehicle and energy storage industries will undergo transformative change. By then, ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometres, exceptional safety, and ‘petrol-like’ fast-charging experiences will become reality. The mass production of semi-solid-state batteries represents not only a milestone in the evolution of power batteries but also a significant prelude to the broader energy revolution.