Geely became the third Chinese automaking giant in three weeks to commit to a solid-state battery timeline, saying on August 18 it will begin pilot deployment of 500 Wh/kg all-solid-state packs across its brands in 2027 once real-world validation is complete.
500 Wh/kg targets diesel-class range
The Hangzhou-based group said the pack-level energy density of 500 watt-hours per kilogram would allow future Geely, Zeekr and Lynk & Co battery-electric vehicles to reach a driving range comparable to internal-combustion or diesel cars. Chinese automakers have raced to publish solid-state roadmaps since Ganfeng started pilot output of a 500 Wh/kg cell earlier in the year.
Chinese OEMs settle on a 2027 pilot window
The move follows recent statements from BYD and CATL that both plan solid-state trial production in 2027. Geely's version chains its pilot to fleet-scale validation rather than a fixed vehicle launch, mirroring the cautious ramp Chinese battery makers have telegraphed. In North America and Europe, Ford, Volkswagen and Hyundai are backing Factorial Energy and SK On, which signed a manufacturing MOU on August 3.
Zeekr and Geespace slot into the plan
The 500 Wh/kg pack will first appear inside Geely's premium and long-range models — most likely under the Zeekr brand, which already ships the highest-energy nickel-based packs in the group. Longer term, Geely's tie-up with battery joint venture Geely-CATL and its own Farasis-linked lines are being retooled to accept the new solid-state chemistry once cell yields stabilize. Aviation and mobility units under Geespace are watching the same chemistry for future eVTOL and satellite applications.
Why 500 Wh/kg matters
At roughly double the energy density of the best liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion packs shipping today, 500 Wh/kg would let a mid-size EV crack 1,000 kilometres of real-world range without adding weight or shrinking cabin space. That density also underpins the humanoid robotics investment case Samsung SDI made in Ulsan and Cheonan, where next-generation solid-state cells are being lined up for both cars and bipedal robots.
Reporting based on coverage from CarNewsChina, Autotech Insight and BatteryTechOnline.