Solid-state batteries: Samsung SDI targets 2027, China 2030

Samsung SDI and EcoPro BM signed an agreement on 6 October 2026 to develop sulfide-based solid-state battery materials, with both aiming at 2027. It is the latest of several solid-state dates, and none of them is a UK on-sale date. China’s industry ministry has targeted large-scale use by 2030, while the chairman of CATL, the world’s biggest battery maker, rates the technology four out of nine. For UK buyers wondering whether to wait, the evidence says do not.

Who is closest to solid-state?

Samsung SDI is working towards an all-solid-state battery by 2027, according to Sammy Fans. Under its agreement with EcoPro BM, Samsung SDI develops the cells and mass-production process while EcoPro BM supplies materials including cathodes and electrolytes (Seoul Economic Daily). A memorandum of understanding is an intention to cooperate, not a production order.

Factorial, a US cell developer, is further along in road testing. Stellantis has fitted its cells to a Dodge Charger Daytona development vehicle and begun road tests. Mercedes ran an EQS prototype with Factorial cells 1,205km from Stuttgart to Malmo on one charge, arriving with 137km left, and says it wants series production by the end of the decade (paultan.org). Factorial’s cells are reported at 375Wh/kg and a 15 to 90% charge in 18 minutes.

What do the 2027 and 2030 targets mean?

Player	Stated target	What it covers
Samsung SDI	2027	All-solid-state cell, mass production planned
Chery	Q4 2026 and 2027	Semi-solid packs fitted from Q4 2026, solid-state vehicle tests in 2027
Mercedes with Factorial	End of decade	Series production, after prototype road tests
China (MIIT plan)	2030	First large-scale use of all-solid-state cells

The Chinese plan, covered by The Next Web, uses the words “large-scale use”. CATL chairman Robin Zeng put all-solid-state at four out of nine in June and called the chance of fitting it to a million cars before 2030 very small. A production line starting up is also not the same as affordable cars: first-generation cells are made in small volumes and the earliest users are likely to be premium or niche models.

What is Chery planning?

Chery owns the Omoda, Jaecoo and Chery brands, which are growing quickly in Britain, and our report on Chery’s four UK brands outselling Volkswagen shows the scale. Chairman Yin Tongyue said real-world tests of solid-state batteries in its vehicles will begin in 2027 (CarNewsChina). Chery will begin fitting its Rhino solid-liquid, or semi-solid, packs to vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Its Rhino family spans cells from 400Wh/kg to 600Wh/kg, and Chery claims up to 1,500km of range for battery electric vehicles (electrive). The 600Wh/kg figure belongs to the Rhino S all-solid-state module and is a manufacturer claim for a prototype. Chery also says a cell did not catch fire or smoke when pierced by a drill, again its own test. We have found no announcement of any Chery-group UK model with these batteries.

Why waiting is a poor bet

The dates above are for factories, test fleets and prototypes. Even if Samsung SDI hits 2027, cells must be designed into a car, crash tested, type approved and built in volume. That puts affordable solid-state cars in UK showrooms years away, and a later date is as likely as an earlier one. Our explainer on what is actually new in EV battery technology separates the real advances from the marketing.

Meanwhile today’s batteries are lasting well. Aviloo’s study of 500,000 tests found 16 of 20 popular models keep at least 90% of their capacity at 150,000km, as we reported in our Aviloo battery health study write-up. Used prices and the arrival of cheaper new models are better reasons to time a purchase, which our buy now or wait guide covers.

What this means for you

• If you need a car in the next few years, buy the best current EV for your budget. Waiting for solid-state means waiting for an unknown date and a likely premium price.
• Today’s cars will not be made obsolete overnight. Lithium-ion packs are holding capacity well, and the battery degradation guide explains what to expect.
• Treat 600Wh/kg, 1,500km and 18-minute figures as prototype or manufacturer claims until a car on sale proves them.
• Watch for a UK announcement. The first sign will be a named model with a UK price, not a battery press release.