Chinese manufacturer BYD is strengthening its position in next‑generation battery development, reporting notable progress in both sodium‑ion and sulphide‑based solid‑state technologies.
While widely recognised in Europe for its electric vehicles, the Shenzhen‑based company is also the world’s second‑largest battery producer after CATL. According to SNE Research, the firm reached an annual output of 194.8GWh last year—an increase of 27.7% compared with 2023—supported by extensive in‑house R&D.
A key area of focus is sodium‑ion chemistry, seen as a route to lowering EV costs by replacing lithium with more abundant sodium. The trade‑off is reduced energy density, a challenge BYD and other developers continue to tackle. According to Chinese news outlet CnEV post, the company has now confirmed progress on its third‑generation sodium‑ion platform, which is expected to deliver up to 10,000 charge cycles, far exceeding the typical 2,000–3,000 cycles of standard LFP cells. Further technical details, including energy density, remain undisclosed. The company began building its first sodium‑ion battery plant in Xuzhou in early 2024, working alongside Huaihai, a specialist in electric two‑ and three‑wheelers.
In parallel, BYD is advancing sulphide solid‑state battery research. The company reports significant improvements, though specifics have not yet been shared. These batteries are expected to offer major gains in lifespan and rapid‑charging performance, with small‑scale production targeted for 2027. BYD produced its first 20Ah and 60Ah solid‑state cells on a pilot line in 2024, according to CTO Sun Huajun.
Although BYD’s Blade LFP batteries currently dominate its portfolio, the company is clearly preparing to diversify—positioning sodium‑ion and solid‑state technologies for targeted applications alongside its established mass‑market solutions.
