Are solid-state batteries the next step for electric cars?

What are solid-state batteries and are they the future for EVs?

If optimised for commercial use, solid-state batteries could help end range anxiety for good.

With the impending ban on new petrol and diesel cars approaching in 2030, more and more drivers are choosing an electric car lease. 

But there are still concerns about going electric that are holding people back from making the switch.

The higher initial cost, depreciation, range anxiety and the underdeveloped charging infrastructure across the UK are some of the biggest worries about electric cars.

But with EV tech improving all the time, new developments could make leasing an electric car easier and more convenient than ever.

And the next big thing?

We’re looking at a functional solid-state battery that could revolutionise the electric vehicle (EV) experience completely.

What is a solid-state battery? 

We’re not scientists, but the clue’s in the name.

With lithium-ion batteries, the anode and cathode are separated by liquid electrolytes: a solid-state battery uses solid ones.

Changing the electrolyte creates an entirely different kind of battery and needs a completely new manufacturing process.

It's a small change with a huge impact.

Solid-state batteries have been around since the 19th century, but major drawbacks have stopped them from being widely used.

With the sale of EVs taking off across the globe, there’s been renewed interest in making solid-state batteries fit for a more commercial purpose. Why?

Because a working solid-state battery would remove a lot of the worries about going electric.

So, what are the benefits?

What are the benefits of using a solid-state battery?

Solid-state batteries are denser than traditional lithium-ion. This means more energy at a reduced weight, and with greater rapid charging capabilities.

Rapid-charging on a lithium-ion battery takes around an hour. But a solid-state battery could reach full charge in 10 minutes.

That’s quite an improvement.

The solid electrolyte also provides higher stability than a lithium-ion battery. This is because the liquid component of a battery can be prone to a process known as thermal runaway.

When the temperature inside a battery hits a certain point, it starts a chain reaction that’s very difficult to control. The battery becomes self-heating and can result in the spontaneous combustion of a vehicle.

Sounds terrifying, doesn’t it?

Fortunately, it's a relatively rare occurrence, but solid-state batteries could lower this risk as solid electrolytes are a lot less flammable.

And not only are these batteries faster at charging, more powerful and less flammable than lithium-ion, they could be a lot quicker to make.

Manufacturers believe the switch to a solid-state battery could take up to three weeks off the production time.

The drawbacks of using a solid-state battery

With so much to gain from switching to solid-state batteries, you're probably wondering why we're not using them yet. Well, there are still some teething issues to work out:

• Lithium shortage - Solid-state batteries need even more lithium than current EVs, as the higher density anodes are made of pure lithium metal. We could be looking at between five and 10 times the amount currently used - and we're already facing a global shortage.
• Recycling challenges - We can recycle various EV battery components fairly well, including nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminium and copper. But lithium? Not so much. With solid-state batteries using significantly more of it, scientists need to crack this quickly. Better recycling would help the environment and ease supply chain pressures.
• The dendrites problem - The lithium electrodes start behaving oddly as they age, growing into branching metal structures called dendrites. These can breach the electrolyte and short out the battery pack. Researchers are working on solutions, but this could be years away.
• Cost - This is the biggest hurdle. Solid-state batteries need higher densities of rare metals and completely different construction techniques. New factories, new procedures, new manufacturing processes - and you can't do it on the cheap. While upfront costs would be significant, there's potential for them to eventually become cost competitive with lithium-ion.

But is it the next big thing? 

The EV world is constantly evolving, with manufacturers working hard to develop and improve the technology.

BYD's current dominance

At the moment, Chinese superpower BYD are at the top of the EV game with innovations like their Blade Battery design and Super e Platform.

With 28 years of experience behind them, their focus has been on offering new energy solutions with zero emissions. And there's a lot to recommend them over other manufacturers.

Using lithium-iron phosphate, BYD's Blade Battery comes with significant safety benefits like slow heat generation, low heat release and improved cooling efficiency, due to the unique shape of the battery itself.

It's also passed the nail penetration test without emitting any fire or smoke.

Remember when we talked about thermal runaway? The nail penetration test is the best way to test for this. Thermal runaway is most likely to happen when a battery is penetrated by an external object - and that's most likely to happen in a severe traffic accident.

Providing greater range and a longer lifecycle, BYD's Blade Battery is already taking the EV world by storm, with Tesla now using it in production of their Model Y cars.

BYD's latest Super e Platform takes things further, promising to recharge an EV battery to 240 miles of range in just five minutes using 1,000kW charging. Though this technology is currently rolling out in China with models like the Han L and Tang L, it requires specific 1000V architecture; meaning most existing EVs can't take advantage of these speeds yet.

The solid-state challenge

But could solid-state batteries prove an even bigger game-changer?

Semi-solid-state batteries are already on the road in China, with brands like NIO and IM Motors offering models with over 620 miles of range. In the West, development is racing ahead too:

• Toyota has confirmed its solid-state battery programme is "on schedule" for 2027-2028 launch. While earlier claims suggested 745 miles of range and 10-minute charging, the company is now emphasising lifespan benefits - their solid-state batteries could last four times longer than traditional lithium-ion cells.
• Stellantis achieved a breakthrough in April 2025, validating solid-state cells with 375Wh/kg energy density that can charge from 15-90% in 18 minutes. They're planning demonstration fleets for 2026.
• Honda has opened a pilot production line in Japan and expects solid-state batteries in production vehicles in the second half of this decade.

Picture it: in the time it takes to stop and get a coffee at a motorway service station, your car could gain hundreds of miles of range. With batteries that are lighter, safer, and longer-lasting than anything we have today.

Where does this leave BYD?

While BYD dominates the current EV market, they're taking a more cautious approach to solid-state technology. The company has said it expects demonstrations to begin in 2027, with mass production not anticipated until after 2030.

This means that while BYD leads on today's technology, rivals like Toyota, Honda and Western manufacturers partnering with specialists like Factorial could close the gap - or even leap ahead - by the end of the decade.

What are the alternatives to solid-state batteries? 

It's not just about building better batteries. There are other avenues too.

Like hydrogen cars – they don’t need a battery at all.

Why? Because it makes its own electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in its fuel cell stack. With a hydrogen car, you just need to refuel the same way you would in a petrol or diesel car.

The difference is there's no tailpipe emissions.

It's clear manufacturers are exploring this possibility. Toyota and Hyundai both have hydrogen models available in the UK (the Mirai and Nexo respectively), though sales remain minimal.

There's very little infrastructure to support hydrogen-powered vehicles in the UK.

As of early 2025, there are only around 15 hydrogen refuelling stations operating across the country - and only six of those are accessible to the public, located in Birmingham, London, Sheffield, Swindon, Aberdeen and Port Talbot.

There's no point driving a Toyota Mirai if there's nowhere to refuel it. And unfortunately, hydrogen refuelling stations are more expensive to build than public EV charging points.

The government is investing in low-carbon hydrogen production, with a target of 10 gigawatts by 2030. But we're unlikely to see significant demand for hydrogen cars until the UK has the right infrastructure in place to support them.

And those holding the purse strings may be reluctant to fund this infrastructure without proven consumer demand first.

Now that's a catch-22 situation if there ever was one.

What’s the verdict?

So, are solid-state batteries the future? It's looking increasingly likely.

While hydrogen cars face infrastructure challenges and current battery tech continues to improve, solid-state batteries offer something different – they’re lighter, faster at charging, have improved safety, and the increased range to finally end those nagging worries about going electric.

Semi-solid-state batteries are already on the road in China, and major manufacturers are racing toward 2027-2028 launches. The technology is coming, and it could be a genuine game-changer.

You don't need to wait for the future to enjoy the latest EV tech, though. The electric cars available to lease today are already more advanced and practical than ever.