BYD is ‘leading’ the solid-state battery race, and its first EV with the new tech is almost here

This is car news, not home energy news, but here's what it means. Chinese automaker BYD says it's ahead of the pack in developing solid-state batteries, a next-generation battery technology that charges faster, lasts longer, and is more stable than the lithium-ion batteries used in most electric cars today. BYD says its first electric vehicle with this technology could arrive in 2027, likely starting with its pricier Denza and Yangwang brands before showing up in cheaper models later.

BYD isn't alone in this race. Other automakers, including Toyota, Stellantis, and Mercedes-Benz, along with Chinese companies Geely, Changan, and battery maker CATL, are also targeting 2027 for their own solid-state battery vehicles. Even so, industry watchers don't expect these batteries to be widely available until closer to 2029 or 2030. Mercedes-Benz has already tested a version in a modified car that drove more than 700 miles on one charge.

For homeowners, this is worth watching but not acting on yet. Solid-state batteries could eventually show up in home battery storage systems, not just cars, since the same benefits — faster charging, longer life, better stability — matter for storing solar power at home. But that's still years off, and nothing here changes what's available for home energy storage today.