Lightyear Engine Secures ¥1 Billion in Financing, Launches Multiple Solid-State Battery Products

Edited by Yara From Gasgoo

Gasgoo Munich- Gasgoo has learned that Lightyear Engine recently convened a global product and technology launch in Suzhou, unveiling a comprehensive portfolio spanning start-stop batteries, light mobility, and energy storage. The company also  announced 1 billion yuan in intended strategic financing at the event, alongside partnerships with multiple distributors that yielded signed orders worth over 30 million yuan.

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Image source: Lightyear Engine

During the launch, Lightyear Engine introduced the LY-70 and LY-25 — billed as the world's first all-scenario all-solid-state batteries — and confirmed they have entered mass production. Leveraging automotive-grade solid-state technology, the series is designed to match the vehicle's lifespan, aiming to resolve persistent industry pain points such as high costs and complex after-sales service for traditional start-stop batteries.

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Image source: Lightyear Engine

Lightyear Engine CEO Liu Chuang outlined the company's strategic roadmap: half of the business will serve the internal power ecosystem, while the remaining half focuses on expanding into commercial markets. The decision to enter the automotive aftermarket for start-stop and parking batteries, he noted, is a direct response to industry-wide issues such as prohibitive costs and subpar user experiences.

Dr. Huang Wei, dean of the research institute, provided a detailed look at the 12V start-stop lithium and sodium-ion battery series. These units utilize cells supplied by Fudi Battery or HiNa Battery, feature a battery management system (BMS) co-developed with Hella, and support robust low-temperature starting alongside intelligent balancing — all encased in V0-grade flame-retardant material. The company claims the lifespan exceeds twice that of market competitors, while low-temperature starting performance outperforms traditional AGM batteries. Meanwhile, a third-generation all-solid-state battery is already in development, targeting full temperature range coverage from -50°C to 100°C.

Additionally, Lightyear Engine unveiled a 24V parking battery series tailored for commercial vehicles. Featuring 4G remote management, GPS positioning, and heating capabilities, these batteries boast a nominal lifespan exceeding eight years and a maximum starting current of over 2,000A — making them suitable for fleet operations in frigid environments.

Product Director Shuang Wujie showcased "Engine No. 1," the industry's first semi-solid battery designed for electric motorcycles with a 300-kilometer range. Built using an automotive-grade power structure, the battery delivers a cell energy density of 350Wh/kg and a capacity of 120Ah. It has secured international export certifications and carries a designed service life of 10 years.

In the energy storage sector, Lightyear Engine rolled out a solid-state battery solution powered by proprietary cells and BMS/EMS systems. Equipped with AI-driven smart energy dispatch and cell balancing, the system offers a cycle life of up to 15 years and operates within a temperature range of -20°C to 55°C.

On site, Lightyear Engine signed global strategic cooperation agreements with Forvia Hella Nanjing Electronics and Dongguan Shengda New Energy, while also finalizing authorization deals with a group of distributors.

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Image source: Lightyear Engine

The 1 billion yuan in intended financing will be allocated toward research and development of next-generation all-solid-state batteries, capacity expansion, global channel development, and ecosystem integration, according to the company. Lightyear Engine reiterated its commitment to solid-state battery technology, aiming to drive its adoption across diverse scenarios including automotive, energy storage, and light mobility.

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