China aims initial large-scale application of all-solid-state batteries by 2030

China aims to achieve initial large-scale application of all-solid-state batteries by 2030, with long-life lithium batteries reaching a life cycle of 15,000 times, according to the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30) for the development of the new battery industry published on Monday.

The plan was issued by seven government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Development and Reform Commission.

All-solid-state batteries offer higher theoretical energy density and safety, and entail lower costs than lithium-ion batteries that currently dominate the electric vehicle sector. Hence, many countries consider them a potentially game-changing technology.

The ministry data show that during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–25) period, the new battery sector's total output value exceeded 1 trillion yuan ($149 billion), capturing a major share of the global market.

New batteries are efficient energy storage and conversion devices or systems centered on new mechanisms, materials, structures and processes, represented by lithium, sodium and flow batteries. They feature rapid technological iteration, broad applications and strong spillover effects.

By 2030, China aims to achieve steady growth in the industry's scale, with stronger innovation capacity across the entire supply chain, according to the plan. Breakthroughs are expected in advanced electrode materials, new electrolytes and high-end auxiliary materials, alongside major progress in new system battery research.

The plan also calls for accelerating the construction of a full-scenario application ecosystem, integrating next-generation battery technology with clean energy and energy-consuming terminals to empower smart devices and electrification in automobiles, ships, aviation, intelligent robots, engineering machinery, and agricultural equipment.

Focusing on these goals, the plan outlines 19 key tasks and five special columns across five areas: accelerating whole-chain innovation, promoting industrial transformation and upgrading, improving the industrial system, enhancing science and technology services, and raising the quality and level of trade and investment cooperation.

Liu Wenqiang, Party secretary of the China Center for Information Industry Development, said new batteries were previously viewed merely as components rather than an independent industry. The new plan, he noted, positions the industry as important support for building a new energy system and cultivating new quality productive forces, and as the foundation for emerging pillar industries such as new energy storage, the low-altitude economy and intelligent robots.

This means the industry has been upgraded to the underlying foundation for electrification across multiple fields and for the new energy system, Liu said, providing key support for building a manufacturing, energy, transportation and digital powerhouse.