With solid-state batteries coming, will you be willing to buy an electric car?

A few days ago, in an article titled "Government Confirms Subsidy Extension for Next Year—Great News for Car Buyers" published by Automotive Commons, it was mentioned that "with the extension of subsidy policies, new energy vehicle sales in 2026 may not be too pessimistic." However, contrary to the conventional view that subsidies would stimulate consumption, some consumers are moving in the opposite direction. Many readers have expressed views such as, "I won’t consider buying an electric car unless it comes with solid-state batteries."

Initially, such comments might have been dismissed as casual remarks. But after multiple rounds of surveys and interviews, it was found that a notable number of individuals without cars are indeed waiting for solid-state battery technology to be implemented before considering a purchase. One interviewee stated, "I commute over 40 kilometers every day, so I do need a car. However, after three years of use, the range of current electric vehicles can degrade by nearly 20%, and replacing the battery could cost almost half the price of a new car. Since my need isn’t urgent, I’d rather wait until the technology matures."

For these consumers, buying a car is not an immediate necessity, and delaying the decision seems reasonable. Although battery range has improved, range anxiety persists. Once battery performance declines, owners face a difficult choice between the high cost of battery replacement and the generally low resale value of electric vehicles. Moreover, rumors about solid-state batteries being introduced in the second half of 2025 have further encouraged many to adopt a "wait-and-see" approach.

In fact, these "waiters" are gradually forming a significant market force—they are not without the need for a car but are patiently waiting for key technological breakthroughs. For instance, in earlier years, they awaited breakthroughs in pure electric range exceeding 500 km and improvements in battery safety. More recently, they have been paying attention to increasing purchase subsidies. In any case, they always find reasons to postpone buying or to wait for newer technologies to mature.

And currently, their focus is squarely on solid-state batteries.

This year, several automakers have directly or indirectly announced their development and production timelines for solid-state batteries. For example, MG, under SAIC Motor, announced at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November that the MG4 would be equipped with solid-state batteries. GAC Group also announced in November that it had built China’s first pilot production line for large-capacity all-solid-state batteries, with plans to implement them in Hyper models by 2026.

Beyond automakers, power battery companies like Gotion High-Tech have also reported progress. The company stated that its self-developed semi-solid-state batteries have completed real-vehicle testing across multiple models, achieving an energy density of over 300 Wh/kg. Vehicles equipped with these batteries could achieve a range exceeding 1,000 km, with mass production expected within the year.

From laboratory research to accelerated industry investment, and further supported by policy encouragement, every step in solid-state battery development has captured the attention of investors, consumers, and related enterprises. For instance, when SAIC Motor revealed that its new generation of solid-state batteries is slated for mass production in 2026, the company’s stock price surged, and the solid-state battery sector also saw significant gains.

This market enthusiasm not only highlights the strategic value of solid-state batteries in energy transition and automotive industry upgrades but also signals a critical development phase for the technology. Its broad prospects and potential are increasingly becoming a consensus both within and outside the industry.

For consumers, the advantages of solid-state batteries address several pain points of current electric vehicles:

: Solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes, offering energy densities two to three times higher than current liquid batteries. This means that within the same volume, ranges of 500–1,000 km could be achieved. Companies like Toyota and CATL have set breaking this threshold as a key technical goal.

: Solid electrolytes are non-flammable, fundamentally eliminating the risk of thermal runaway. They remain stable even under extreme conditions such as punctures or compression, a feature highly appealing to safety-conscious consumers.

: Solid-state batteries demonstrate superior cycling stability, with lab data suggesting lifespans two to four times longer than traditional batteries. This could reduce the need for battery replacements during a vehicle’s lifecycle and improve the resale value of used electric vehicles.

Given these advantages, solid-state batteries—even before mass adoption—are already seen as a critical factor in accelerating electric vehicle adoption and potentially reshaping the power battery industry landscape.

Despite their advantages, the path to commercializing solid-state batteries is far from smooth.

Foremost is the issue of cost. Core materials for solid-state batteries—particularly sulfide electrolytes—account for 60%–80% of total battery costs. Industry analysis suggests that even with scaled production, initial costs will remain significantly higher than those of traditional lithium-ion batteries. This cost pressure will initially fall on suppliers, then on automakers, and may ultimately be passed on to consumers, potentially raising the price of vehicles equipped with solid-state batteries by over 30%.

Additionally, transitioning from lab to production involves overcoming significant technical hurdles. Robin Zeng, Chairman of CATL, noted that the maturity of all-solid-state battery technology currently stands at only level 4 out of 9. Key challenges include the stability of solid electrolyte materials, poor ion transport efficiency due to inadequate solid-solid interface contact, and the risk of lithium dendrites piercing the electrolyte layer. While solutions exist in laboratory settings, consistency and reliability in mass production remain uncertain, making large-scale commercialization impractical in the short term.

Furthermore, although solid-state batteries theoretically support faster charging, practical applications are constrained by factors such as thermal management and interface impedance. Currently demonstrated products have yet to show a decisive advantage in fast-charging performance—a critical aspect of the daily user experience.

Faced with consumer anticipation, automakers find themselves in a dilemma. On one hand, they must manage inventory pressures for existing electric models, especially in a market where subsidy extensions coincide with divided consumer willingness to buy. On the other hand, manufacturers are racing to announce solid-state battery roadmaps to avoid falling behind in the next wave of technological competition. The repeated announcements of solid-state and semi-solid-state battery production plans by major automakers have raised market expectations and intensified consumer wait-and-see attitudes. An industry insider admitted, "We know some consumers are waiting for solid-state batteries, but widespread commercial use will take at least three to five years. In the meantime, we need to convince them of the value of current technologies."

For the "waiters," however, waiting also comes with its own costs—technological evolution never stops. Beyond solid-state batteries, future advancements may include lithium-air batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and other technologies. Always waiting for the "next big thing" could mean never making a purchase decision.

For now, the market seems to offer compromise solutions for those who need a vehicle but are unwilling to wait indefinitely. Semi-solid-state batteries are emerging as a transitional technology, and battery leasing models allow consumers to avoid the risks of battery degradation and depreciation.

Ultimately, the decision to buy or wait depends on individual needs. As some netizens have quipped, "Those who are ready to buy will buy at any time, while those who choose to wait may never lose out." Whatever the choice, the market will continue to adapt and provide answers.