Solid-State Batteries

CATL announced a 'condensed' (semi-solid) cell rated ~500 Wh/kg — the first credible claim to roughly double conventional energy density, initially aimed at aviation.

Samsung SDI began running a dedicated sulfide solid-state pilot line, shipping sample cells to automakers — the first major maker to move from lab to a pilot production line.

QuantumScape shipped B-samples of its QSE-5 lithium-metal cell (~844 Wh/L) to automotive customers for qualification — a step from prototype toward a product.

Toyota and Idemitsu are scaling up sulfide solid-electrolyte production toward commercial cells — the supply step that gates a 2027–28 launch.

QuantumScape signed a multi-year joint research agreement with Honda R&D to co-develop its lithium-metal solid-state battery platform and the associated manufacturing processes — following Honda's completion of a hands-on technology evaluation and benchmarking. A second major automaker (alongside VW's PowerCo) validating QuantumScape's cells, though both sides stress development and manufacturing scale-up, not yet commercial production.

The first solid-state cells installed in series-production vehicles, targeted around 2027 by the front-runners — not yet here.

The finish line: solid-state cells produced at automotive scale and cost — multi-GWh lines feeding mass-market EVs. Targeted around 2030, not yet here.