China's New Solid-State Battery Mandate Spurs Gigawatt Plant

BatteriesLong-Term Energy Storage

China's new national standard for solid-state batteries has taken effect, requiring automakers and battery suppliers to meet stringent testing and certification criteria.

TL;DR
• China's new national standard for solid-state batteries requires rigorous testing and certification.
• Doctex leads the way with a gigawatt-scale facility producing certified solid-state cells at 350 Wh/kg.
• The standard aims to eliminate ambiguous marketing claims and ensure production-ready lines.

Summary
China’s July 1, 2026 solid‑state battery standard imposes a 120°C vacuum test and limits liquid electrolyte to under 5% of cell weight, aiming to eliminate ambiguous marketing claims and certify production‑ready lines.
• Doctex has launched a gigawatt‑scale plant in Tianjin, producing 350 Wh/kg cells that promise 15%–20% range gains without changing module size.
• Dongfeng Motor’s 0.2 GWh oxide‑polymer hybrid plant achieved 350 Wh/kg and 72% capacity after 170°C bake and winter trials, targeting 1,000 km range.
• Gotion High‑Tech completed a pilot with 100% domestic machinery, cutting import reliance and lowering expansion costs.
• Capital intensity remains high: equipment costs of 400–500 million yuan per GWh and a projected 59.2 billion yuan total bill could delay mass adoption until around 2030.

The regulation forces suppliers to validate cells through rigorous testing, ensuring that only truly solid‑state products receive certification. This creates a clear benchmark for automakers and suppliers, reducing market confusion and encouraging investment in dedicated production lines.

Manufacturers are responding with differentiated strategies: Doctex focuses on gigawatt‑scale throughput, Dongfeng on high‑temperature resilience, and Gotion on domestic tooling. These approaches aim to balance performance, cost, and scalability while meeting the new standard.

Long‑term success will depend on continuous risk assessment, workforce support for new manufacturing skills, and transparent testing protocols. Regular audits of production quality and safety mechanisms will be essential to maintain consumer trust and regulatory compliance as the industry scales.

As the EV industry continues to evolve, it's essential to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in solid-state battery technology.