BY:SpaceEyeNews.
China’s latest solid-state battery breakthrough could change how far electric vehicles drive on a single charge, and how safe they feel to own. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Tsinghua University have revealed an all-solid-state lithium metal battery that can push EV range beyond 1,000 kilometres while also improving safety and durability. thechinaacademy.org+1
This is not just another incremental upgrade. The work tackles three hard problems at once: a fragile interface between solid parts, stiff electrolytes that crack under stress, and safety risks at high voltage. By combining iodine ions, a flexible polymer “skeleton,” and a fluorine-rich protective shell, the teams claim to have cleared the last major hurdles toward real-world solid-state packs. english.news.cn+2english.cas.cn+2
If these results scale into production, this China solid-state battery breakthrough could mark the moment when electric cars stop being viewed as range-limited alternatives and become the natural default for long-distance travel. It also arrives just as Chinese automaker GAC is switching on the country’s first 60 Ah+ all-solid-state pilot line, aiming to put this technology into real vehicles later this decade. CarNewsChina.com+1
In this article, SpaceEyeNews unpacks what the scientists actually did, why it matters, and how soon drivers might feel the impact.
China solid-state battery breakthrough: what actually happened
The headline claim is simple but bold: China’s new solid-state battery architecture can more than double EV range, taking typical 500 km packs past 1,000 km, while also passing harsh safety and mechanical tests. CarNewsChina.com+1
Today’s lithium-ion EV batteries rely on liquid electrolytes. These liquids move lithium ions between the anode and cathode, but they are flammable and limit how much energy the pack can safely hold. Solid-state batteries replace that liquid with solid materials. In theory, this allows higher energy density, longer life, and better safety. In practice, one old problem never really went away: the solid–solid interface between a hard ceramic electrolyte and a soft lithium-metal anode.
The lithium behaves like modelling clay. The ceramic behaves like a tile. Press them together and you get voids, pits, and uneven contact. Over time those gaps grow. Ion flow slows, resistance rises, and dangerous hotspots can form. Many solid-state projects stalled here.
Chinese scientists approached this challenge as a systems problem. They did not just tweak one material. They redesigned the whole interaction between lithium metal, solid electrolyte, and the mechanical structure that holds them together. The result is a layered solution: a self-adapting interface, a polymer skeleton that lets the electrolyte flex, and a fluorine-reinforced shell that survives extreme voltage and heat.
Together these innovations form the heart of the China solid-state battery breakthrough now catching global attention.
Fixing the solid interface with iodine “glue”
The first step was solving the contact issue between lithium metal and the solid electrolyte. A team from the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences created what they describe as a self-adaptive interphase. english.cas.cn+1
Instead of forcing lithium and ceramic to stay pressed together with heavy external clamps, they introduced iodine ions into the system. During charging and discharging, these iodine ions migrate toward any voids at the interface. Think of them as intelligent glue. They are drawn to high-energy regions where the contact is poor. Once there, they attract lithium ions and fill the gaps.
This dynamic interface keeps the two solid layers in intimate contact without constant mechanical pressure. Lab tests showed that pouch cells using this strategy maintained stable cycling even at low or near-zero external pressure, while supporting relatively high charge-discharge rates. eu.36kr.com+1
Why does this matter for drivers? A more stable interface lets the battery use lithium metal as the anode. Lithium metal stores far more energy per kilogram than the graphite anodes used in most current EV packs. More energy in the same space means longer range without making the battery pack bulkier or heavier.
It also improves reliability. When the interface stays smooth and well-bonded, there are fewer internal stress points and fewer places for microscopic failures to start. Over hundreds of cycles, that translates into a pack that keeps its capacity for longer.
This iodine-based interface is one pillar of the China solid-state battery breakthrough. But by itself it is not enough; the rest of the cell needs to survive the real world as well.
A flexible polymer skeleton that survives 20,000 bends
The second big hurdle for solid-state batteries is mechanical flexibility. Cars vibrate. They hit potholes, flex over bumps, and endure temperature swings. Many early solid-state electrolytes behaved like glass. They worked in the lab but cracked in real vehicles.
Researchers at the Institute of Metal Research, also under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, addressed this by building a polymer-based skeleton inside the solid electrolyte. english.cas.cn+2english.news.cn+2
This skeleton acts like a flexible frame. It gives the electrolyte enough toughness and elasticity to bend and twist without breaking the pathways lithium ions need. In tests reported by Chinese state media, cells built with this material survived 20,000 bending cycles and even twisting, while remaining fully functional. english.cas.cn+2CarNewsChina.com+2
The team also embedded tiny chemical modules inside this framework. Some modules speed up ion transport. Others capture excess lithium ions that could destabilise the structure. The combined effect is dramatic: energy density increases by up to 86 percent compared with earlier versions of the solid electrolyte. english.cas.cn+2motoma.cn+2
An 86 percent jump in energy density is what turns a 500 km EV into a 1,000 km EV without doubling the size of the pack. The extra resilience means that the pack can handle daily use, rough roads, and long-term stress without losing performance.
This flexible approach also opens doors beyond road vehicles. A solid-state cell that tolerates constant bending could power wearable devices, foldable electronics, or components for the emerging low-altitude economy such as electric drones and air taxis. Chinese reports explicitly highlight these sectors as likely beneficiaries of the technology. english.news.cn+1
So the second layer of the solution is clear: a tough, flexible polymer structure that lets the solid electrolyte behave more like a living material than a brittle crystal.
Fluorine reinforcement and the 120°C safety tests
Range is important, but safety is non-negotiable. High-energy batteries face tough questions: What happens if they are punctured? What happens in a hot climate, or inside a parked car on a summer day?
A team at Tsinghua University tackled this by adding fluorinated polyether materials to the electrolyte, a step described as “fluorine reinforcement.” motoma.com+1
Fluorine atoms are very stable when exposed to high voltage. When they form part of the electrolyte, they create a fluoride protective shell on the electrodes. This shell stops high voltage from piercing or breaking down the solid electrolyte. In other words, it keeps the internal structure calm even under electrical stress.
According to reports summarising the work, cells using this fluorinated polyether passed needle-puncture tests at full charge and remained stable after sitting in a 120°C test box for hours. motoma.com+1
Those numbers matter. Puncture tests mimic real-world accidents where a pack might be physically damaged. Surviving 120°C without runaway reactions means the cell can tolerate extreme heat far better than many liquid-electrolyte designs. That reduces the risk of thermal events and widens the environments where these batteries can safely operate.
This safety layer does not come at the cost of performance. Reports from the research community point to high cycle life and strong energy metrics alongside the improved robustness. bincial.com+1
Taken together, iodine-based self-repair, a flexible skeleton, and fluorine reinforcement form a three-part safety and performance architecture. This is what makes the China solid-state battery breakthrough feel different from earlier announcements that focused on just one aspect.
From lab bench to factory floor
Many promising battery papers never leave the laboratory. What makes this moment stand out is the parallel move on the industrial side.
Chinese automaker GAC Group has now completed the country’s first 60 Ah+ all-solid-state battery pilot line. The facility is already producing small batches of automotive-grade cells with areal capacities around 7.7 mAh/cm², a figure in the range required for real EV packs. global.chinadaily.com.cn+3CarNewsChina.com+3electrive.com+3
These 60 Ah cells are designed to replace existing packs in vehicles that currently manage about 500 km of range. Once swapped in, the same vehicles could exceed 1,000 km between charges, according to statements from GAC and Chinese state media. Mass production is targeted between 2027 and 2030, with small-series vehicle tests planned earlier. english.henan.gov.cn+3CarNewsChina.com+3electrive.com+3
The pilot line integrates the entire solid-state manufacturing process, from electrode coating to assembly. It acts as a real-world testbed for scaling up the new materials and interface designs. This bridge between research institutes and industry is crucial. Without it, the China solid-state battery breakthrough would remain an impressive paper rather than a pack under the floor of an actual car.
Of course, many questions remain. Costs must fall. Suppliers need to secure materials at scale. Carmakers will want long-term durability data under different climates and driving styles. But a running pilot line means those questions will be answered with real data, not just simulations.
What this means for EVs and the energy future
If even part of this promise holds, the implications are far-reaching. A 1,000 km solid-state EV removes range anxiety for most drivers. Long trips become simple: charge once, drive all day. This changes how people think about road travel, charging networks, and even the layout of future cities.
A safer, more compact pack also frees up design space. Vehicles might use smaller batteries for the same range, cutting weight and materials use. Or they might keep the pack size and offer truly extreme ranges for freight, taxis, or remote regions with sparse charging infrastructure.
The ripple effects extend into aviation and robotics. Chinese officials have already linked solid-state advances to electric aviation, humanoid robots, and the low-altitude economy, where high energy density and safety are both crucial. english.news.cn+1
On the global stage, this technology intensifies competition. Japan, Europe, and the United States all have solid-state programmes, but China’s combination of basic research and fast industrial deployment gives it a strong hand in the next battery race. LinkedIn+1
For the climate and energy systems, the story is equally important. As solid-state packs make EVs more attractive, electricity demand from transport will grow, creating new incentives for clean generation and smarter grids. At the same time, high-energy solid-state cells could find roles in stationary storage, helping to stabilise networks with a high share of solar and wind.
Conclusion: why this breakthrough matters now
The China solid-state battery breakthrough is not a single invention but a carefully engineered stack of solutions: iodine-driven self-repair at the interface, a polymer skeleton that survives 20,000 bends with an 86% energy-density boost, and fluorine-reinforced electrolytes that pass needle-puncture and 120°C heat tests. english.cas.cn+2motoma.com+2
On top of that, GAC’s 60 Ah pilot line shows that industry is already preparing to turn these ideas into hardware that can sit in real vehicles and push their range beyond 1,000 km. CarNewsChina.com+1
For drivers, it hints at a future where charging stops are rare, EVs feel safer than ever, and long-distance trips are simple. For the wider energy system, it suggests cleaner transport, new electric aircraft and robots, and a stronger push toward renewable power.
In short, this China solid-state battery breakthrough is more than a headline. It is a glimpse of how the next decade of electric mobility may unfold — and why the race to master solid-state technology has only just begun.