Nio establishes new division for solid-state batteries
As early as 2024, Nio became one of the first manufacturers in China to offer vehicles with semi-solid-state batteries. These were offered as a long-range option for various models and offered a capacity of 150 kWh and a CLTC range of over 1,000 km. However, due to a lack of demand, Nio discontinued production in autumn 2025. At the same time, the company has been working intensively for some time to bring electric cars with all-solid-state batteries, i.e. fully solid-state batteries, to market.
To accelerate this transition, Nio has established a new subsidiary, Nio Battery Technology, in Shanghai. This subsidiary will set up a dedicated battery research and development centre in Shanghai’s Jiading district. Nio’s headquarters and an existing research and development team are also located there, while the company’s production facilities are based in Hefei, Anhui Province.
Nio has not yet released official details about the new subsidiary. However, according to Chinese media reports, its primary focus will be the development of solid-state batteries. Nio is exploring multiple technological approaches in parallel, including oxide and sulphide electrolytes.
A Nio spokesperson told the China Times: “Nio is leveraging Shanghai’s research and development advantages to accelerate progress in solid-state battery technology. The company expects to achieve large-scale application of these technologies after 2027, further strengthening its core competence in drive batteries.” In other words, Nio aims to integrate solid-state batteries into its electric vehicles on a larger scale from 2028 onwards.
Automotive analyst Han Hao told the newspaper: “The electric vehicle industry is currently in a critical phase of qualitative development. Technological innovation and ecosystem collaboration are the key trends. With Nio’s continuous breakthroughs in battery technology and the steady improvement of its battery-swapping system, this is likely to provide new momentum for the qualitative development of China’s electric vehicle industry in the future.”
Solid-state batteries are considered a game-changer for electromobility, as they offer maximum safety by eliminating liquid electrolytes (which are flammable) and enable a significant increase in energy density through lithium-metal anodes. This makes ranges of over 1,000 kilometres realistic, along with extremely short charging times and significantly greater cell longevity. Additionally, their compact design allows for lighter vehicles, as the need for heavy cooling systems is reduced. However, no company has yet succeeded in bringing solid-state batteries to the mass market – but this is expected to happen within this decade.
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