WeLion New Energy and its semi-solid-state batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are frequently utilized to power individual gadgets and lorries today. As the requirement for batteries rises, there’s a growing cravings for cells that can keep more energy on a single charge.

In lithium-based batteries the electrolyte, which helps with ion transfer, utilizes a combustible liquid that can produce a fire threat.

A number of business, consisting of WeLion New Energy, are working to make solid-state cells, which utilize a strong electrolyte rather of a liquid one. This might increase the energy density of batteries, along with enhance their security. Completely solid-state cells are incredibly hard to make. WeLion presently focuses on establishing and producing semi-solid-state cells, which have a part-liquid, part-solid electrolyte.

On that front, they have actually made consistent development. In 2023, WeLion launched a battery pack in collaboration with Shanghai-based EV-maker Nio, best understood for its battery-swapping innovation. The pack had an energy density of 360 watt-hours per kg (wh/kg), substantially greater than the 200 wh/kg average for lithium-ion packs today. That equated to a variety of over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). Just about 200 of the battery packs were produced due to their high production expense, however they are still being utilized by Nio, WeLion states.

WeLion has actually likewise developed batteries to power freight ships and ferryboats through a subsidiary. And the business is establishing batteries with even greater energy density too. WeLion’s engineers made a semi-solid-state battery that attained an amazing energy density of 824 wh/kg throughout screening in 2025, more than 3 times that of a basic lithium-ion battery offered today.

Secret signs

• Market: Energy storage
• Established: 2016
• Head office: Beijing, China
• Significant reality: WeLion’s cofounders consist of Chen Liquan, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences who led the advancement of the nation’s very first all-solid-state battery back in 1988.

Possible for effect

China gives off more co2 than any other nation, and its transport sector represent around 10% of that overall. Scaling up the production of more secure, higher-capacity batteries might assist change more lorries far from nonrenewable fuel sources.

Batteries that power electrical ships might be particularly valuable– the co2 emissions from vessels that move products along China’s lakes, canals, and rivers are forecasted to grow by around 25% in this years alone, reaching 18.7 million metric lots by 2030.

Caveats

One huge obstacle WeLion deals with is scaling up production of its semi-solid-state batteries and completing on expense in a congested battery market. WeLion states that its semi-solid-state batteries are more pricey than standard lithium-ion batteries made by bigger Chinese battery business such as CATL.

And while lab tests revealing high energy density are excellent, it can be tough to equate lab outcomes to the real life. The business decreased to offer more information about the speculative arise from its 2025 model, which it states is far from commercialization. Secret information stay uncertain, consisting of the number of times the cell can be charged and released and how capability breaks down over its life time.

Next actions

WeLion prepares to bring a brand-new semi-solid-state battery for drones to market with an energy density of 410 wh/kg by the end of this year. It likewise plans to present its very first all-solid-state battery for vehicles in 2027, which is anticipated to have an energy density of 400 wh/kg.

2 inland freight ships powered by WeLion’s batteries are anticipated to introduce in October 2026 in Huzhou, a city in eastern China. The battery pack of each of these ships will have the ability to bring almost 4,000 kilowatt-hours of electrical power, enough for them to cruise for approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles), the business states.

Today, WeLion has a yearly production capability of 11 gigawatt-hours (GWh) spread in between 4 production bases in China. 2 extra plants with a combined annual capability of 18 GWh are under building.