Why Is Everyone Trying to Build a Solid-State Battery?
Solid-state batteries are gaining significant investment from major manufacturers like CATL, BYD, and LG due to their potential for higher energy density and improved safety. The article explains the chemical mechanism of these batteries compared to traditional liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion versions.
Why it matters
Advancements in battery technology are critical for the future of electric vehicles and energy storage solutions.
80 1 Share A battery technology that’s getting a lot of attention is solid-state batteries, lithium-ion batteries that replace the liquid electrolyte with a solid material. Chinese battery manufacturer CATL alone had more than 1,000 people devoted to solid-state battery research as of 2024, and battery manufacturers like BYD , LG , and Samsung are also working on the technology. US and European startups making solid-state batteries have collectively raised over $4 billion as of 2025 .
Solid-state batteries have several potential advantages over the lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolyte we use now. For one, replacing the liquid electrolyte with a solid should allow for lighter batteries, requiring less mass per unit of energy delivered. And because the liquid electrolyte currently used in batteries is flammable, replacing it with a solid could make batteries safer and less susceptible to fire.
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