Researchers from Nankai University have announced progress in developing a new generation of solid-state batteries that could allow electric vehicles to travel more than 1,000 kilometres on a single charge.
The development was highlighted by Chen Jun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, during discussions connected to the Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress. According to Chen, the research team has already developed a solid-state battery with an energy density of about 400 Wh/kg, roughly 30% higher than the 300 Wh/kg lithium-ion batteries currently used in many advanced electric vehicles.
Researchers say their next goal is to achieve 600 Wh/kg energy density within the next one to two years, a milestone that could significantly extend the driving range of future EVs.
Further details were presented at a 2026 meeting of the National Engineering Research Centre for Lithium-ion Power Batteries, held at the headquarters of China Auto New Energy Battery Technology Co., Ltd.. Nearly 20 experts from the battery and automotive industries attended the meeting to review recent technology developments.
During the event, researchers unveiled an ultra-high specific energy lithium-rich manganese solid-liquid battery system developed jointly by the Nankai University team and China Auto New Energy. The battery cells used in the system achieve energy density exceeding 500 Wh/kg, while the overall battery pack capacity has increased significantly compared with earlier designs.
According to Yan Zhenhua, a member of the research team, laboratory testing has already produced battery samples with energy density above 600 Wh/kg. The version unveiled at the meeting is designed for Large scale production and uses newly developed materials and manufacturing methods.
The system uses a lithium-rich manganese cathode material supplied by Tianjin Aiwo New Energy Co., Ltd., a company incubated by the Nankai University research team. It also incorporates a composite electrolyte technology that improves ionic conductivity while enhancing safety and stability.
Another key feature is an in-situ lithium anode generation method, which reduces reliance on traditional lithium metal strips and simplifies the production process. Researchers say this approach can improve both safety and battery life while lowering manufacturing costs.
According to Li Xue, the current battery system has a pack energy density of 288 Wh/kg and a total capacity of 142 kWh, enabling a vehicle to travel over 1,000 kilometres on a single charge. Future versions under development could reach more than 340 Wh/kg system energy density and over 200 kWh capacity, potentially extending the driving range to around 1,600 kilometres.
Researchers also said the battery system includes a multi-layer protection design covering thermal, electrical, mechanical, gas and fire safety, aimed at preventing thermal runaway.
Demonstration operations using the technology are expected to begin in 2026, marking an important step toward commercial deployment of next-generation EV batteries.
Experts involved in the project say the research centre will continue working to connect scientific research with industrial production, helping accelerate innovation in battery technology and supporting the development of the electric vehicle industry.
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