The first commercial solid-state battery vehicle arrives this year at $34,900, while startups promise five-minute charging that could transform electric mobility. Finnish motorcycle maker Verge unveiled the TS Pro at CES 2026, marking the initial production vehicle with solid-state technology available for US purchase. CES 2026 also featured other solid-state battery breakthroughs.
Verge's electric motorcycle delivers 370 miles per charge with battery longevity matching the vehicle's lifetime. The premium pricing reflects current solid-state economics, positioning the bike alongside base Tesla Model 3 sedans in cost structure.
Donut Lab claims its production-ready solid-state battery reaches full capacity in five minutes without expensive rare materials. Donut Lab's solid-state battery announcement was made at CES 2026, where the startup partners with an electric motorcycle manufacturer for initial deployment, targeting gigawatt-hour production without cobalt dependency.
Korean researchers at KAIST developed a materials breakthrough that could slash solid-state battery costs. Their approach introduces divalent oxide and sulfide anions into cheaper zirconium halide electrolyte, achieving four times easier ion movement compared to expensive metal alternatives.
"The team's discovery presented design principles that can simultaneously improve the cost and performance problems of solid-state batteries using inexpensive raw materials," said KAIST professor Seo Dong-hwa. The research enables immediate industrial application, potentially accelerating commercial adoption.
Toyota plans limited solid-state battery vehicle releases under its Lexus brand starting in 2027. The automaker cautioned that initial production will target premium segments with higher pricing, reflecting current manufacturing challenges.
Global solid-state battery shipments will reach 614 gigawatt-hours by 2030, according to China-based research institution EVTank. This represents over 10% of the total battery market, valued at more than $34 billion.
Chinese automaker Chery recently unveiled its first self-developed solid-state battery module achieving 604 Wh/kg gravimetric energy density. The prototype nearly doubles current lithium-ion battery energy density at 1,027 Wh/L volumetric capacity.
European companies Syensqo and Axens launched joint venture Argylium to develop sulfide-based solid-state battery materials. The partnership builds on Syensqo's pilot line in La Rochelle and over a decade of Paris laboratory development.
"The creation of Argylium represents an important step forward in bringing solid-state battery materials to market readiness," said Thomas Canova, Head of R&I at Syensqo. The venture will collaborate with European research institutions and automotive manufacturers.
Current all-solid-state batteries cost approximately 2.8 times more than standard liquid-electrolyte alternatives. High raw material expenses and low production yields create scaling challenges that multiple companies are addressing simultaneously.
Samsung SDI delivered customer samples in late 2025 and reportedly targets solid-state EV batteries with 600-mile range and nine-minute recharges. The company leverages solid oxide electrolytes for superior energy density in its development pipeline.
Massachusetts-based Factorial Energy secured joint development agreements with Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Hyundai Motor Group. The startup focuses on scaling challenges that CEO Siyu Huang identifies as the primary obstacle for solid-state adoption.
"We're in the mode of trailblazing the breakthroughs to move them closer to automotive applications," Siyu Huang, CEO of Factorial Energy, told InsideEVs. "The main challenge for solid-state is scalability."
Semi-solid-state batteries will enter markets first as bridge technology before full solid-state packs reach mass production. These hybrid solutions use gel-like electrolytes offering better energy density and safety than conventional lithium-ion designs.
California's QuantumScape partners with Volkswagen Group's PowerCo to industrialize solid-state batteries. BMW Group and Ford invested millions in Colorado-based Solid Power, while Toyota and Honda pursue independent development programs in Japan.
The solid-state battery market will reach $10 billion by 2036, projects IDTechEx analysis. Advancements in cell-to-system design and recycling will drive growth across automotive, consumer electronics, and energy storage applications.
Sodium-ion solid-state alternatives achieve 99.26% efficiency after 600 cycles without cobalt or lithium, potentially disrupting EV and grid storage markets. Researchers at Western University developed designs that mitigate flammability risks inherent in lithium-based systems.
Huawei patent filings reportedly target 400-500 Wh/kg energy densities enabling 3,000 km ranges with five-minute charging. These projections incorporate nanomaterials and hybrid architectures for enhanced performance.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics will produce micro solid-state batteries for wearables starting in early 2026. The compact units promise longer life and improved safety for smartwatches and other portable devices.
Defense contractor ESOX Group adapts solid-state batteries for military applications, capitalizing on robustness in extreme conditions. The technology's versatility extends beyond consumer markets to critical infrastructure and specialized equipment.
Despite rapid advancements, solid-state batteries face persistent manufacturing hurdles and thermal management challenges. Innovations in electrolyte materials aim to improve ion conductivity while reducing interfacial resistance between components.
The convergence of multiple breakthroughs suggests transformative energy storage may arrive sooner than anticipated. As prototypes enter real-world testing, five-minute charging and doubled energy density could reshape electric transportation within this decade.
