The Solid-State Battery Race Leaves No One on the Sidelines

Recently,  a solid-state battery startup controlled by Dreame Technology founder Yu Hao, announced the completion of an angel round worth tens of millions of yuan. Almost simultaneously, FAW Group, a veteran state-owned automaker, officially announced the rollout of the first prototype vehicle equipped with its self-developed Hongqi all-solid-state battery.

These two developments—one from a cross-sector newcomer appearing out of nowhere, the other from a steady industry giant—point to an undeniable consensus: the battle for the technological high ground of solid-state batteries has entered a white-hot "breakout" phase.

Hailed as the "Holy Grail" of the new energy vehicle industry, solid-state battery technology appeals because it addresses the two core pain points of current EVs: range and safety. Higher energy density translates to longer range, while superior thermal stability fundamentally reduces the risk of battery thermal runaway.

Therefore, with "range anxiety" and "safety concerns" still lingering, solid-state batteries have naturally become essential battlegrounds for all players betting on the future.

Cross-Sector New Forces: A "Strategic Entry" via Capital and Ecosystems

Dreame Technology's move into solid-state batteries is the latest link in its grand cross-sector blueprint. From robot vacuums and floor cleaners to the "Nebula Next 01 Concept" supercar unveiled at CES 2026, Dreame defines the automobile as a "highly integrated intelligent terminal." Under this framework, the power and energy storage system—the "heart"—must be a core technology module. Jinghe Energy, founded just over a month ago, is the vessel for this strategy.

Established in December 2025, the company focuses on all-solid-state battery cells and system solutions. Unlike many startups lingering in the realm of theoretical concepts, Jinghe Energy demonstrates clear commercial intent and a distinct technical path.

Image Credit: Star Plan

Founder Li Yantao has explicitly identified the biggest constraint to mass-producing all-solid-state batteries: the "solid-solid interface impedance" issue. To address this, Jinghe Energy has proposed a solution using cathode and anode material coating. By applying a sulfide coating to the exterior of electrode materials, the company aims to enhance interface density and conductivity. The goal is precise: lift the charge-discharge rate of all-solid-state batteries to 2C by the end of 2027, and target a cell energy density of 800Wh/kg using lithium-rich manganese-based cathode materials.

Yu Jiabin, managing director at investor Sky Workshop VC Fund, argues that driven by "dual carbon" goals, the solid-state battery sector stands on the eve of a trillion-dollar market explosion—where technical barriers and commercialization capabilities are the keys to breaking out.

For Dreame, laying out solid-state batteries is not only the technological cornerstone of its car-building dream but also a critical piece of the puzzle in constructing a unified "smart appliances—service robots—smart cars" ecosystem.

Accordingly, this funding round will focus on technology commercialization, team expansion, and global layout. The company has already reached cooperation intentions with three leading commercial vehicle manufacturers and two energy firms. Plans are in place to complete the first batch of engineering sample integration tests in the fourth quarter of 2026, covering smart vehicles, energy storage, and eVTOL scenarios, thereby accelerating the translation of technology into value.

However, Dreame is not an isolated case of cross-sector entry. From Shaanxi Forestry Group in traditional forestry, auto parts giant HASCO Automotive, to cable company Jinlongyu seeking transformation, and even international specialty chemicals giants—all are rushing into this track through investment, cooperation, or independent R&D. The influx of these "outsiders" is disrupting the traditional landscape of the solid-state battery industry with their flexible capital, differentiated resources, and hunger for new markets.

Traditional Automakers: A "Comprehensive Strategy" via Systems and Engineering

As cross-sector players launch "strategic moves" with capital and agility, traditional auto giants represented by FAW are demonstrating the "comprehensive advantage" of their deep systematic R&D and engineering manufacturing capabilities.

Solid-state batteries are no longer just blueprints in a laboratory. Traditional auto giants like FAW are leveraging their powerful engineering capabilities to accelerate the translation of theoretical advantages into verifiable, mass-producible engineering realities. The rollout of the first Hongqi all-solid-state battery prototype vehicle marks a landmark breakthrough in this process.

Image Credit: FAW Group

This battery, utilizing a sulfide system, underwent 470 days of intensive development and carries a 66Ah all-solid-state cell. It has passed a 200°C extreme thermal abuse test, with its ionic conductivity breaking through the industry benchmark of 10mS/cm. FAW stated that subsequent real-vehicle testing will focus on assessing the battery system's comprehensive performance, durability, and reliability in actual operating environments—a critical step that cannot be bypassed on the path to industrial application.

The collective action of Chinese automakers extends far beyond this. In November 2025, SAIC Motor announced that its all-solid-state battery production line, developed in partnership with Qingtao Power, had been fully connected in Shanghai's Anting district, with plans for official mass production and delivery in 2027. During the 2025 Guangzhou Auto Show, GAC Group Chairman Feng Xingya also revealed that GAC's all-solid-state battery pilot production line had been built and entered trial production, making it the first to possess batch manufacturing conditions for automotive-grade all-solid-state batteries.

This competition surrounding solid-state batteries is an unequivocal global race. International giants are already poised for action: Toyota plans to gradually mass-produce all-solid-state batteries between 2026 and 2027, targeting a range of 1,200 kilometers; South Korea's Samsung SDI and LG Energy Solution have locked their mass production timelines between 2027 and 2030; at CES 2026, global solid-state battery leader ProLogium released its "Hyper-fluid All-Inorganic Solid-State Battery" platform, showcasing breakthrough results with a volumetric energy density of up to 860 Wh/L and room-temperature ionic conductivity five times higher than traditional solutions, announcing that its French super factory will officially break ground in 2026.

It can be said that the solid-state battery track has never been as crowded and full of vitality as it is today. The essence of this competition is not a simple dispute over technical routes, but a strategic play for dominance in the global new energy vehicle industry over the next decade.