Executive Summary
Solid-state batteries (SSBs) promise higher energy density and improved safety compared with today's advanced lithium-ion (Li-ion) packs. In 2026, however, SSBs remain largely in pilot and early commercial phases. Energy Solutions analysts track cost curves, performance benchmarks, and announced manufacturing roadmaps to help investors and OEMs judge when SSBs may move from R&D to mainstream deployment across electric vehicles and stationary storage. At Energy Solutions, this analysis feeds directly into EV, grid-storage, and second‑life portfolio models.
- Leading SSB prototypes show 25–60% higher gravimetric energy density at cell level than current high‑nickel Li-ion, but pack‑level gains are smaller once safety, structure, and thermal hardware are included.
- Most credible roadmaps point to commercial EV volumes after 2028–2030, with cost parity to advanced Li-ion not expected before the 2030s in base‑case scenarios.
- For grid storage, competing technologies such as flow batteries and sodium-ion batteries may capture a larger share of near‑term deployments than SSBs.
- By 2035, Energy Solutions modelling suggests that SSBs could reach 10–20% share of EV battery capacity in leading markets, under favourable scale‑up and supply-chain conditions.
Energy Solutions Battery Intelligence
Energy Solutions tracks chemistries from NMC and LFP to solid-state and sodium-ion, spanning EV packs, stationary storage, and second‑life applications. The same datasets that underpin this report power interactive tools for OEMs, utilities, and infrastructure funds.
What You'll Learn
- Technology Overview: Solid-State vs Advanced Li-Ion
- Energy Density, Safety, and Cycle Life Benchmarks
- Cost Curves, Supply Chains, and Capacity Build-Out
- Use Cases: EV Packs vs Stationary Storage
- Case Studies: OEM Pilots and Grid Demos
- Global Perspective: Asia, Europe, and North America
- Devil's Advocate: Risks and Hurdles
- Future Outlook to 2030/2035
- FAQ: Timelines, Safety, and Investor Assumptions
- Methodology Note
Technology Overview: Solid-State vs Advanced Li-Ion
Conventional Li-ion cells use a liquid electrolyte and separator between the anode and cathode. Solid-state designs replace this liquid with a solid electrolyte—ceramic, sulfide, or polymer-based—often paired with lithium metal or silicon‑rich anodes. The theoretical benefits include higher energy density, improved safety window, and better tolerance of fast charging.
Energy Density, Safety, and Cycle Life Benchmarks
The table below compares indicative performance metrics for high‑nickel Li-ion and three stylised SSB archetypes based on vendor roadmaps and public test data.
Indicative Cell-Level Performance Benchmarks (2025–2026)
| Chemistry / Design | Gravimetric Energy Density (Wh/kg) | Volumetric Energy Density (Wh/L) | Cycle Life to 80% SoH | Safety Envelope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-nickel Li-ion (NMC811) | 240–280 | 650–750 | 1,000–1,500 | Requires liquid electrolyte safety systems and strict thermal management. |
| Polymer-based solid-state (early) | 260–300 | 700–800 | 1,000–1,800 | Improved thermal stability; still sensitive to dendrite formation at high current. |
| Ceramic solid-state with Li-metal anode (pilot) | 320–380 | 800–950 | 800–1,200 | Non-flammable electrolyte; interface stability and manufacturing yield remain challenges. |
| Sulfide-based solid-state (R&D) | 300–360 | 780–900 | 1,000–2,000* | Promising fast-charge behaviour; moisture sensitivity complicates production. |
*Upper-end figures are from lab-scale cells and may not translate directly to automotive packs.
Illustrative Pack-Level Cost Trajectories (USD/kWh, Real 2025)
| Year | Advanced Li-ion (NMC/LFP blend) | Solid-State – Early Niche | Solid-State – Optimistic 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 110–140 | 300–450 | — |
| 2030 | 80–105 | 160–230 | — |
| 2035 | 65–85 | 120–170 | 80–110 |
Ranges represent Energy Solutions scenarios rather than firm forecasts.
Indicative Pack Cost Curves: Li-Ion vs Solid-State
Source: Energy Solutions Battery Cost-Curve Explorer (Q4 2025 scenarios).
Cell Energy Density Comparison (2025–2026)
Source: Energy Solutions analysis of vendor roadmaps and public test data.
Illustrative Share of Global EV Battery Capacity by Chemistry (2035)
Source: Energy Solutions modelling; indicative mix only.
Cost Curves, Supply Chains, and Capacity Build-Out
Scaling SSBs requires not only cell design breakthroughs but also new manufacturing processes, supply chains for solid electrolytes, and redesigned pack assembly lines. While Li-ion gigafactories benefit from steep learning curves, SSB lines are closer to first‑of‑a‑kind plants.
Use Cases: EV Packs vs Stationary Storage
In the near term, SSBs are most likely to appear in premium EV segments where higher range and performance justify higher pack costs. For stationary storage, the competition from lower‑cost, lower‑energy‑density technologies is intense. Long‑duration applications may favour chemistries optimised for cycle life and low cost over volumetric density.
Case Studies: OEM Pilots and Grid Demos
Case Study 1 – Automotive OEM Pilot Fleet
- Context: limited series of EVs fitted with SSB packs targeting higher range and faster fast‑charge capability.
- Findings: improved range at pack‑level by ~18% compared with comparable Li-ion trims, but higher cost and constrained manufacturing volumes.
- Implication: early SSB deployments are likely to remain in halo products and premium trims through the late 2020s.
Case Study 2 – Stationary Grid Demonstration
- Context: several‑MWh SSB-based pilot plant providing frequency support and short‑duration flexibility.
- Findings: promising round‑trip efficiency and thermal behaviour; however, project CAPEX significantly above LFP-based systems with similar functionality.
- Linkages: investors compare SSB pilots against alternatives such as flow batteries and thermal options like sand batteries.
Global Perspective: Asia, Europe, and North America
Most announced SSB manufacturing capacity and intellectual property is concentrated in East Asia and parts of Europe, with North American OEMs partnering through joint ventures. Policy support for localised battery supply chains may accelerate SSB projects, but Li-ion and sodium-ion factories are also scaling rapidly.
Devil's Advocate: Risks and Hurdles
Key risks for SSB scale‑up include:
- Manufacturing yield: defects at the solid–electrolyte interface can undermine both safety and economics.
- Material availability: some electrolyte chemistries rely on less‑established raw material supply chains.
- Competition from "good enough" alternatives: improvements in conventional Li-ion, sodium-ion, and hybrid systems reduce the incremental value of SSBs in many segments.
Future Outlook to 2030/2035
Energy Solutions' central scenario treats SSBs as an important but not dominant chemistry by 2035. EV makers may deploy SSBs selectively in long‑range, luxury, or high‑performance models, while Li-ion and sodium-ion continue to serve cost‑sensitive segments. In grid storage, SSBs compete with LFP, sodium-ion, flow batteries, and thermal systems.
For portfolio planning, this means SSBs should be modelled as an option value—a potential upside for range, safety, or form factor—rather than a guaranteed replacement for existing chemistries in the 2020s.