Gasgoo Munich-With the "Two Sessions" approaching, Hu Chengzhong — a National People's Congress deputy and chairman of Delixi Group — is turning his attention to solid-state batteries. He is pushing a series of pragmatic proposals aimed at fixing the industry’s growing pains: fragmented standards, sluggish engineering of core technologies, disjointed supply chains, and cost barriers that hinder mass adoption. The goal is to help China seize the first-mover advantage in the next generation of power batteries.
Solid-state batteries are widely viewed as the next frontier for new energy vehicles (NEVs), promising greater safety and higher energy density. Yet Hu warns that China’s industry remains in its infancy, hampered by several hurdles. Critical standards for performance, safety, and lifespan are missing. Engineering bottlenecks persist, particularly in mass-producing solid electrolytes and dry electrodes. Coordination across the supply chain is weak, and the sector lacks self-sufficiency. On top of that, high costs and a murky certification process are slowing down the path to mass production.
Hu recommends a three-pronged approach. First, accelerate the rollout of standards. He urges the swift release of national standards for automotive solid-state batteries, establishing clear rules for performance, safety, and lifespan. By unifying technical requirements and testing methods, the industry can finally have a defined framework to operate within.
Second, double down on core technology. Hu calls for supporting innovation alliances between companies and research institutes to crack key challenges: scaling up solid electrolyte production, refining interface modification, and mastering dry electrode technology. The aim is to drive down material costs and bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and mass production.
Finally, cultivate a collaborative ecosystem. This involves bolstering leading enterprises and fostering long-term strategic partnerships among battery makers, material suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and automakers. Strengthening these ties will enhance the industry’s self-reliance and resilience.
Solid-state batteries are a critical lever for upgrading the new energy sector, Hu argues. By driving progress through both standards and technological innovation — all while fostering ecosystem collaboration — China can accelerate the industrialization of solid-state batteries. That, in turn, will provide robust support for the high-quality development of new energy vehicles.
