China Targets Solid-State Batteries In New Five-Year Plan

Beijing (GNP): China has issued its first dedicated national-level development plan for the new-type battery industry.

The plan covers the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) and sets targets for industrial growth, technological innovation and product quality.

It was jointly issued by several government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Its aim is steady growth and stronger innovation across the entire industrial chain by 2030.

By that date, China wants breakthroughs in advanced electrode materials, new electrolytes and high-end auxiliary materials. It also expects major progress on new battery systems.

The plan envisions the initial large-scale application of all-solid-state batteries. It also sets a cycle life of 15,000 cycles for long-life lithium batteries.

Product defect rates at leading enterprises are expected to fall to the parts-per-billion level.

These targets rest on a sizeable base. According to the MIIT, the industry’s output value exceeded 1 trillion yuan (about $149 billion) during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

Demand is now coming from several directions. Electric vehicles, the low-altitude economy, consumer electronics and humanoid robotics all need high-performance batteries.

Battery-based energy storage is also helping integrate renewable energy and stabilise the power grid.

The plan defines new-type batteries as high-efficiency devices or systems for storing and converting electrical energy. They include lithium, sodium and flow batteries, with innovation focused on new operating principles, materials, structures and manufacturing processes.

To turn these ambitions into results, the plan sets out 19 priority tasks across five areas. These include innovation throughout the industrial chain, industrial upgrading and development of the industrial system.

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One key measure is speeding up the breakthroughs needed for industrial-scale production of all-solid-state batteries. Another is building a product supply system centred on lithium batteries, complemented by sodium and flow batteries.

The plan also calls for safer power batteries with better all-climate performance for new energy vehicles. It seeks faster development of shared industry standards and stronger intellectual property protection.

Improved life-cycle traceability for batteries is another priority.

Beyond production, the plan wants faster integration of battery technology with clean energy and end-use applications. It also seeks closer links between the industry and international trade and investment.

Nan Cewen, a professor at Tsinghua University and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the plan builds on the country’s industrial scale and supply-chain strengths to guide the sector’s future development.