Chinese lithium-metal giant Ganfeng Lithium says it has begun small-scale production of what it calls the world's first 10 Ah lithium-metal solid-state battery, reaching an energy density of 500 Wh/kg. The company disclosed the milestone in an investor update this week, marking another step in the global race toward next-generation electric-vehicle cells.
A new energy-density benchmark
The 500 Wh/kg figure relies on lithium-metal anodes, which pack far more energy per unit of weight than the graphite anodes used in today's cells. Ganfeng is pursuing two parallel solid-state approaches: the lithium-metal design at 500 Wh/kg and a silicon-based variant at 400 Wh/kg. According to the company, the cycle life of its 400 Wh/kg cells has already passed 1,100 cycles and is ready for larger-scale production.
Inside the "zero-strain" anode
Ganfeng said it has developed a "zero-strain" lithium alloy anode paired with a sulfur cathode that improves electrochemical and thermal stability while limiting unwanted lithium movement. In testing, the alloy anode reportedly expanded by only 3% to 5% across a full charge-and-discharge cycle and survived both nail-penetration and heating tests, withstanding temperatures as high as 250C (482F).
Deep ties to global automakers
Ganfeng is China's largest lithium compounds producer and the world's leading lithium-metals manufacturer, accounting for roughly 45% of the global lithium-metal market and about 70% within China. It has supply agreements with Tesla, Hyundai, BMW, Volkswagen and several Chinese automakers, including Dongfeng and Changan, for key battery materials. The push echoes a wider wave of battery innovation, including efforts to accelerate fast-charging battery technology and to deploy energy hardware at scale, as seen with robotic solar installation systems.
Why it matters
Solid-state batteries are often called the "holy grail" of EV power because they promise higher energy density, longer range and faster charging. Major manufacturers such as BYD, CATL, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz are targeting small-scale solid-state output around 2027 to 2028, with mass production later in the decade. Lower-cost chemistries like lithium iron phosphate and sodium-ion remain strong competitors, underscoring that the energy transition spans both batteries and the broader advanced manufacturing and chip ecosystem.
Reporting based on coverage from Electrek and IT Home.