Gotion High-Tech, a Chinese battery manufacturer backed by Volkswagen, has taken a major step forward in electric vehicle (EV) technology. The company has launched its first pilot production line for all-solid-state batteries, a next-generation power source that promises to make EVs safer, more efficient, and capable of driving much longer distances.
The announcement was made during Gotion’s recent tech conference, as reported by Interesting Engineering. The pilot line will produce the company’s new “Gemstone” battery cells, which use solid materials instead of the liquid electrolytes found in most current lithium-ion batteries.
Solid-state batteries offer several important advantages over traditional lithium-ion technology. Because they use solid electrolytes, they are less likely to catch fire or overheat, addressing a major safety concern known as “thermal runaway.” These batteries also have a higher energy density, meaning they can store more energy in the same space.
That translates into longer driving ranges and smaller, lighter battery packs for EVs — two major benefits for both drivers and manufacturers.
According to Gotion, the Gemstone battery cells already show strong performance. They have a 40% higher energy density than lithium ternary cells and have passed a range of safety tests, including puncture, high-heat, overcharging, and crushing simulations.
Pan Ruijin, who leads research and development for the Gemstone project, said the cells have achieved a 150% increase in capacity after a year of testing, although detailed specifications were not provided. “This means that the human imagination of this ultimate battery is finally within reach,” he said.
Gotion is also using domestically produced equipment for the pilot line — a sign of China’s increasing influence in battery technology and clean energy innovation.
Solid-state batteries are seen as a breakthrough for the EV industry. Their improved safety, longer range, and faster charging could help more drivers switch from gasoline-powered cars to electric ones. That shift would help reduce urban air pollution and cut back on the heat-trapping gases that contribute to global warming.
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Gotion plans to begin small-scale production and vehicle testing by 2027, with full-scale commercial manufacturing expected by 2030. The launch of the pilot production line shows that the solid-state battery era is approaching faster than expected — and it could reshape the future of clean transportation.
