China Leads First Global Solid-State Battery Standard Project Approved by IEC

China has taken the lead in developing the world’s first international standard project for solid-state batteries, according to a statement from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on Aug. 21.

The international standard proposal titled “Application Guidelines, Test Items and Conditions for Solid-State Batteries Used in Electric Vehicle Traction Applications” has been officially approved as a project by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

The project represents the first global international standard initiative focused on solid-state batteries.

It was proposed by China, with experts from France, South Korea, Japan and other countries participating in the drafting process.

The future standard will establish unified guidelines covering solid-state battery application scenarios, testing procedures and evaluation criteria.

This provides a reference framework for global automakers and battery manufacturers during the development and validation of solid-state battery technologies.

Solid-state batteries are widely considered one of the key directions for next-generation power battery technology.

Compared with today’s mainstream liquid electrolyte lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries replace liquid electrolytes with solid electrolytes, offering potential advantages in safety, energy density and high-temperature stability.

However, challenges remain in materials, manufacturing processes and cost control, meaning solid-state batteries still require further validation before large-scale commercialization.

Across the industry, Chinese automakers and battery companies are accelerating research and commercialization efforts for solid-state battery technologies.

CATL is currently focusing on the sulfide-based all-solid-state battery route. Its laboratory-stage prototype cells have achieved an energy density exceeding 500 Wh/kg.

The company plans to begin small-scale pilot production in 2027, with large-scale vehicle deployment expected to gradually advance after 2030.

In August, BYD disclosed six solid-state battery-related patents and plans to conduct small-volume vehicle testing in 2027, with the goal of achieving mass commercialization around 2030.

Dongfeng Motor has already completed a 0.2 GWh pilot production line for solid-state batteries and plans to begin vehicle production applications in the fourth quarter of this year.

The company targets deliveries of 50,000 vehicles equipped with its self-developed solid-state batteries by 2027.

FAW Hongqi, together with industry partners, completed a prototype vehicle equipped with an all-solid-state battery pack in January this year and plans to begin mass production deployment by the end of 2027.

In July, China’s Ministry of Finance and other government departments introduced adjustments to battery-related tax policies.

While consumption taxes on lithium batteries will resume, sodium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries and other emerging battery technologies will remain exempt from taxation.

The policy adjustment signals continued support for the development of next-generation battery technologies and could encourage companies to increase investment in solid-state battery research.

Although solid-state battery commercialization remains at an early stage, market growth expectations remain strong.

EVTank forecasts that global solid-state battery shipments will reach 607.2 GWh by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of more than 130%.