EV Solid-State Battery Validation Accelerates in the U.S. and Europe, Mass Production Expected to Gradually Begin by 2026, Says TrendForce

TrendForce’s latest research reveals that solid-state batteries are emerging as the next-generation battery technology with high commercial potential. Manufacturers across the U.S., Europe, and other global markets are accelerating large-scale production development and performance validation for automotive applications. 

Several startups, including Factorial Energy, QuantumScape, and SES AI, have advanced to the sample delivery and pilot runs for semi-solid or quasi-solid-state batteries, with the first-generation products expected to gradually enter mass production as early as 2026.

In the mid-2010s, French company Blue Solutions was the first in Europe to commercialize polymer-based solid-state batteries, primarily for electric buses and port delivery vehicles rather than passenger cars. To date, no U.S. or European automaker has introduced a mass-produced vehicle using solid-state batteries beyond these commercial applications.

TrendForce data shows that as of the end of 2024, 17 U.S. and European solid-state battery companies—including QuantumScape, Solid Power, SES AI, Factorial Energy, Adden Energy, and Basquevolt—have raised a total of over US$4.2 billion in funding. Support from programs like the U.S. Department of Energy and the EU’s Horizon Europe initiative has driven technological advancements in solid-state battery development.

Some companies have already scaled their R&D results to pilot runs and are conducting vehicle integration tests with automakers. For example, Factorial Energy has delivered battery samples to Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz, which are now undergoing prototype road testing. 

TrendForce highlights that solid-state batteries offer superior safety and higher energy density, with U.S. and European manufacturers focusing on polymer-based or oxide-based solid electrolytes as their core technologies. These companies are rapidly advancing toward pilot runs and are at a critical transition point between validation and mass production. However, early commercialization will still present challenges, including capacity expansion, cost control, and supply chain development.

Additionally, all-solid-state batteries that meet automotive performance standards still face significant technical barriers and are not yet ready for mass production. As a result, semi-solid or quasi-solid-state battery solutions, which contain a small amount of liquid electrolyte, will serve as interim options for U.S. and European automakers in the short term.

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