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Solid-state batteries hold the promise of improved safety, a
longer lifespan and faster charging compared with conventional
lithium-ion batteries that use flammable liquid electrolytes.
But mass adoption remains some way off due to constraints in raw
material availability, intricate manufacturing processes and the
resultant high costs.
China is seeking to cement its lead in the global EV market
after early and heavy investment in domestic supply chains
helped it become the most cost-competitive battery and EV
producer in the world.
Those picked as potential participants in the project include
battery makers CATL and Nio-backed WeLion New Energy Technology,
said the person.
BYD, which vies with Tesla for the title of the world's biggest
EV seller and is a battery maker, as well as automakers FAW,
SAIC and Geely have also been chosen, according to the person
who was not authorised to speak to media and declined to be
identified.
Geely declined to comment. The other companies did not
immediately reply to Reuters' requests for comments.
Many auto industry officials and analysts expect solid-state
batteries will determine the competitiveness of the
next-generation EVs. Several global automakers are also looking
into the technology, hoping to break China's dominance in the
current EV battery technologies.
Japan's Toyota Motor, a laggard in EV development, has said it
plans to launch vehicles powered by solid-state batteries in a
couple of years.
Tesla has not detailed any solid-state development plans.
The official China Daily first reported news of the state-funded
project.
($1 = 7.2475 Chinese yuan)
(Reporting by Zhang Yan, Qiaoyi Li, Ethan Wang and Liz Lee;
Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
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