<div id="readability-page-1">Robin Zeng Yuqun, head of the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery maker, has played down expectations for the much-hyped solid-state battery technology, predicting an inflection point would not take place until 2030. The founder and chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) also warned on Tuesday that commercial viability of the next-generation batteries was yet to be established. “Based on a measure of level one to nine, the technology has only reached level four so far,” Zeng told a panel at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as Summer Davos, held in Dalian, in northeast China’s Liaoning province, according to a video clip posted online. “Even if the products are delivered, it remains to be seen whether they will be well received and become a commercial success on the market,” he said. CATL confirmed Zeng’s comments on Thursday. Zeng added that mass production of the batteries – which use a solid electrolyte to conduct ions between electrodes – would not begin until 2030. The battery technology is widely seen as a superior alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries that rely on liquid or gel-based materials. The technology is currently being developed by several multinational heavyweights, including automotive giant Toyota and industrial conglomerate Samsung.  Compared with liquid-based batteries, solid-state variants have a higher energy storage capacity and would allow for longer driving ranges, according to analysts. The technology may also improve automobile safety, as the batteries would be less prone to overheating or catching fire in the event of overcharging or collisions. CATL, based in Ningde in China’s southeastern Fujian province, is the front-runner in the world’s EV battery industry, with a market share of more than 40 per cent during the first four months of 2026, according to Seoul-based SNE Research. At present, no fully solid-state EV batteries have been developed and produced. “Full solid-state EV battery is not easy, and the costs for development and production remain a big hurdle,” said Davis Zhang, a senior executive at Suzhou Hazardtex, a supplier of specialised batteries. “Now that Zeng, as one of the most powerful business leaders in the industry, is cooling market speculations, the technology is unlikely to come to fruition any time soon.” Current EV batteries capable of delivering a range of 500km cost more than 20,000 yuan (US$2,935) to produce, while solid-state or semi-solid-state versions could cost up to three times more, according to Zhang. Chinese battery maker WeLion’s semi-solid-state batteries power some of the premium EVs assembled by Shanghai-based Nio. Manufacturers add liquid to solid electrolytes, which can improve performance. In March, state-owned Chery Automobile, based in China’s eastern Anhui province, unveiled a solid-state battery capable of delivering a driving range of more than 1,500km on a single charge. Chery Automobile said that its coming Exeed EX8 sport utility vehicle, due to launch in the fourth quarter of this year, would feature a semi-solid-state battery, but did not provide further details.</div>

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<p>CATL Chairman Robin Zeng Yuqun cooled expectations for solid-state EV batteries, predicting commercial viability and mass production will not occur until 2030. He noted the technology is only at level four of nine, citing high costs and development hurdles. While solid-state batteries offer higher energy density and safety, current production remains expensive compared to conventional lithium-ion options.</p>

Top CATL boss cools expectations over next major leap in EV batteries