Solid‑state talk and standardization push
Coverage suggested solid‑state batteries are inching toward practical use, though some claims remain optimistic, while Nio’s CEO called for industry‑wide standardisation of batteries and chips to save billions. The two threads together highlight ongoing technical progress and industry pressure toward common standards. (theverge.com) (carnewschina.com)
A solid-state battery replaces the flammable liquid inside today’s cells with a solid material, and automakers are still arguing over how close that design is to real production. New reporting this week paired fresh scrutiny of Donut Lab’s claims with a call from Nio chief executive William Li for common battery and chip standards across the industry. (theverge.com) (carnewschina.com) The Verge reported on April 12 that Donut Lab, a Finnish startup spun out of Verge Motorcycles, says its solid-state cell can reach 400 watt-hours per kilogram, charge in about five minutes, and enter production in 2026. The same report said battery experts remain skeptical because Donut Lab has released limited independent evidence and few technical details. (theverge.com) That skepticism reflects the basic problem solid-state developers are trying to solve: higher energy density, faster charging, and better safety in one package, without the short life or manufacturing headaches that have slowed the field for years. Nissan still says it aims to launch an electric vehicle with all-solid-state batteries by fiscal year 2028, showing how most established programs remain on a later timetable than Donut Lab’s. (nissan-global.com) QuantumScape, another prominent developer, said in October 2025 that it had begun shipping B1 samples of its QSE-5 cell, describing that step as progress toward high-volume automotive production rather than mass deployment. The company also demonstrated its cells powering a Ducati motorcycle with Volkswagen battery unit PowerCo in September 2025. (quantumscape.com 1) (quantumscape.com 2) While battery chemistry is still unsettled, Nio used a Beijing industry forum on April 11 and April 12 to press for standard parts. CarNewsChina reported that Li said industry-wide standardisation of batteries and chips could cut more than 100 billion yuan, or about 14.5 billion dollars, in sector costs. (carnewschina.com) Li argued that carmakers now duplicate work on battery packs, battery-swap formats, and in-house semiconductors, even when many components serve similar functions. He made the case as Nio is already moving toward outside standards in some areas, including a March 2025 partnership under which its Firefly brand would adopt Contemporary Amperex Technology’s Choco-Swap battery-swap standard. (carnewschina.com 1) (carnewschina.com 2) China is also tightening the rules around battery safety as companies race to cut charging times and raise range. CarNewsChina reported in 2025 that China’s updated GB38031-2025 battery standard will take effect on July 1, 2026 and requires batteries to prevent fire or explosion even after thermal runaway. (carnewschina.com) That leaves the industry with two tracks moving at once. Battery startups are trying to prove that solid-state cells can leave the lab, while major manufacturers are pushing to make whatever cells win cheap enough, safe enough, and standard enough to build at scale. (theverge.com) (carnewschina.com)
