Welion's Solid State Battery Achieves 824 Wh/kg Energy Density In Lab, Aims 1000 Wh/kg

Chinese solid-state battery developer Welion New Energy has achieved an energy density of 824 Wh/kg in laboratory tests, with a long-term goal of surpassing 1,000 Wh/kg. The company's chairman, Yu Huigen, announced this milestone during a recent appearance on China Central Television's Dialogue program, noting it represents a leading achievement in solid-state battery research.

Yu emphasized that while the lab result marks significant progress, high material costs—especially for sulfide-based electrolytes—remain the major obstacle to mass commercialization. He indicated that initial applications will likely prioritize markets where safety and performance are more critical than cost, suggesting humanoid robotics as one promising early field.

Founded in 2016 through an industry-academia partnership with the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Welion has assembled a team of battery specialists, including Professor Chen Liquan, a pioneer in China's lithium-ion battery research. The company maintains close ties to top industry innovators—Chen was the doctoral advisor to CATL founder Robin Zeng.

Welion has already deployed its technology in real-world applications. In 2023, it provided a major EV manufacturer with 150 kWh semi-solid-state battery packs that enabled a range of 1,044 kilometers on a single charge. To support further scaling, Welion operates production bases in Beijing, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shandong, with current annual capacity totaling 28.2 GWh and plans to exceed 100 GWh in the coming years. Its Shenzhen facility serves as a pilot line for solid-state battery production, targeting full-scale output around 2027.

The company is also preparing for an initial public offering on China's Growth Enterprise Market, advised by CITIC Securities. A successful listing would make Welion China's first pure-play solid-state battery developer to go public. Notable investors include Sequoia Capital, Hillhouse Capital, and strategic backers such as Huawei, Geely, Xiaomi, and Nio.