Are solid-state batteries the next step for electric cars?

Solid-state batteries: The next big thing for electric cars?

TL;DR: Could solid-state batteries change electric cars for good?

Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte in conventional electric car batteries with a solid one – making them safer, more energy-dense, faster to charge, and longer-lasting.

No solid-state EVs are available in the UK yet, but Toyota, Stellantis, and Honda are targeting launches over the next few years.

If you’re leasing in the near future, today’s EVs are more than capable – and leasing means you can upgrade when the technology arrives.

The EV battery breakthrough everyone’s talking about

Range anxiety. Charging stops. The nagging feeling that electric vehicle (EV) technology isn’t quite there yet.

These are the concerns that still hold some drivers back from making the switch to an EV. But battery technology is moving fast, and the next leap forward could change everything.

Solid-state batteries have been generating serious buzz in the automotive world for years.

Now, with major manufacturers committing to launch timelines and prototype vehicles already on the road in parts of the world, they’re moving from concept to reality.

So, what are they, how do they work, and – most importantly – when will you actually be able to drive one?

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is a solid-state battery?

To understand what makes solid-state batteries different, it helps to know how a standard EV battery works.

We’re not scientists, but stick with us here.

Conventional lithium-ion batteries generate electricity by moving lithium ions between two electrodes – the anode and the cathode – through a liquid electrolyte.

That liquid is what makes the whole system function, but it also comes with limitations. It’s flammable, it degrades over time, and it puts a ceiling on how energy-dense and how fast-charging a battery can be.

A solid-state battery swaps the liquid electrolyte for a solid one.

That’s the core difference – and the clue is in the name. It’s a small change with significant consequences for performance, safety, and longevity.

The materials involved vary depending on the manufacturer, but solid electrolytes are typically made from ceramics, glass, or sulphide-based compounds. The anode, rather than the graphite used in lithium-ion cells, is made from pure lithium metal.

It’s more energy-dense, but also introduces its own engineering challenges.

The technology itself isn’t new. Solid-state batteries have existed in small-scale applications like pacemakers and smart cards for decades.

What has changed is the push to make them viable at the scale and cost required for electric cars.

The benefits of using solid-state batteries for EVs

So, why is the automotive world so excited about solid-state batteries?

Simply put, it’s because they offer improvements across almost every dimension that matters to EV drivers.

More range

Because solid electrolytes are denser than liquid ones, solid-state batteries can store significantly more energy in the same amount of space.

More energy density means more range – without making the battery pack larger or heavier. For context, current lithium-ion batteries typically achieve around 250-300Wh/kg (watt-hour per kilogram).

Solid-state batteries are targeting 400Wh/kg and beyond.

Faster charging

Liquid electrolytes limit how quickly lithium ions can move through a battery, which is part of why rapid charging a current EV still takes the best part of an hour.

Solid electrolytes don’t have the same constraint.

Instead, they could theoretically reach full charge in as little as 10 minutes. Closer to a petrol station stop than an extended services break.

Improved safety

The liquid electrolyte in a lithium-ion battery is flammable, which creates a risk of thermal runaway – or a chain reaction where a battery begins self-heating and, in extreme cases, catches fire.

It’s rare, but it’s a known risk.

Solid electrolytes are far less flammable, which substantially reduces this risk and removes the need for some of the cooling systems that add weight to current battery packs.

Longer lifespan

Lithium-ion batteries degrade with each charge cycle.

It’s why an older EV doesn’t hold charge the way it once did. But the expectation is that solid-state batteries will degrade more slowly.

Toyota, for instance, has said its solid-state cells could last up to four times longer than equivalent lithium-ion units, which has obvious implications for lease terms, residual values, and long-term running costs.

Lower weight

Taken together, the higher energy density and simplified thermal management mean solid-state battery packs could be considerably lighter than today’s equivalents.

And it could improve efficiency and handling in the process.

The drawbacks of solid-state batteries

The benefits are compelling.

But if solid-state batteries were straightforward to produce, they’d already be in cars. There are some hurdles still left to clear.

The dendrite problem

As a solid-state battery ages, the lithium metal anode can develop branching metallic structures called dendrites.

These grow through the solid electrolyte over time and can cause short circuits.

It’s one of the most technically challenging problems in solid-state battery research, and while progress is being made, the solution is a work in progress.

Lithium demand

Solid-state batteries require significantly more lithium than conventional cells (around five to ten times the amount currently used) because the higher-density anodes are made from pure lithium metal.

This is a problem because the global lithium supply is already under pressure.

Without improvements to mining capacity and recycling rates, scaling solid-state production could put considerable strain on the supply chain.

Recycling

Current EV battery recycling processes handle materials like nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper reasonably well.

Lithium is harder to recover economically.

With solid-state batteries using substantially more of it, recycling infrastructure will need to catch up before the technology is truly sustainable at scale.

Cost

This is the biggest barrier.

Solid-state batteries require rarer materials, completely different manufacturing processes, and entirely new production facilities.

The upfront investment is substantial, and until production volumes increase, the cost per unit will remain high. Most manufacturers expect costs to fall over time as the technology matures.

But in the meantime, solid-state EVs will carry a premium.

When will solid-state batteries be in cars?

This is the question on everybody's lips.

And the honest answer? Not yet, but sooner than you might think.

Development is accelerating across the industry, with several major manufacturers now moving beyond the research phase into prototype and pilot production.

Here’s where things stand:

Toyota – 2027-2028

Toyota has been one of the most vocal advocates for solid-state technology, and has confirmed its programme is on schedule for a 2027-2028 launch.

Early claims suggested ranges of up to 745 miles, though the company is now placing greater emphasis on lifespan, with its solid-state cells expected to last up to four times longer than conventional lithium-ion batteries.

If Toyota delivers on schedule, it would represent the first mass-market solid-state EV from a mainstream manufacturer.

Stellantis – 2026 demonstration

In April 2025, Stellantis – the parent company of brands like Peugeot, Citroën, Vauxhall and Fiat – validated solid-state cells with an energy density of 375Wh/kg, capable of charging from 15% to 90% in 18 minutes.

Stellantis has planned demonstration fleets for this year, making Stellantis one of the furthest along in terms of real-world testing.

Honda – late 2020s

Honda has opened a pilot production line in Japan and expects solid-state batteries to appear in production vehicles in the second half of this decade.

There’s no confirmation yet on a more specific launch window.

BYD – post-2030

Despite leading the current EV market, BYD is taking a more measured approach to solid-state technology.

The company has indicated that demonstrations could begin in 2027, but mass production isn’t expected until after 2030.

NIO and IM Motors – semi-solid-state, available in China

It’s worth noting that semi-solid-state batteries – a hybrid approach that uses both liquid and solid electrolytes – are already in production in China.

NIO and IM Motors both offer models with ranges exceeding 620 miles using this tech.

These aren’t fully solid-state, but they do demonstrate that the direction of travel is real and moving fast.

If you want to take advantage of this tech for yourself, the MG IM6 utilises a semi-solid-state pack for its 100kWh battery, giving it an official range of 388 miles (WLTP Comb) and charging speeds of up to 396kW.

However, fully solid-state batteries aren’t available in the UK yet.

And when solid-state EVs do reach the market, early availability is likely to be limited, and pricing will reflect the cost of the tech.

The mainstream moment – where solid-state batteries are standard across a wide range of models at accessible price points – likely won’t happen until the 2030s.

Should I wait for a solid-state EV?

It’s a reasonable question – and if you’re considering an electric car lease in the next year or two, the answer is probably no.

Solid-state electric cars are unlikely to reach the UK market in meaningful numbers before the late 2030s, and early models will almost certainly carry a significant price premium.

Waiting for the technology to mature before leasing could mean sitting on the sidelines for the better part of a decade.

The good news is that you don’t need solid-state batteries to get a genuinely impressive EV.

The electric cars available to lease today already offer real-world ranges that comfortably cover most drivers’ daily needs, faster charging than ever before, and running costs that make the switch easy to justify.

Leasing also means you’re not locked in for the long term.

By the time solid-state technology does reach the mainstream market, you’ll be well-positioned to upgrade.

What about hydrogen cars?

Solid-state batteries aren’t the only alternative to conventional lithium-ion.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) take a different approach entirely, generating electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, with water vapour as the only emission.

Toyota and Hyundai both offer hydrogen models in the UK – the Mirai and Nexo respectively – but uptake remains minimal.

The reason? Infrastructure.

As of early 2025, there were around 15 hydrogen refuelling stations operating across the UK, with only six accessible to the public. Until that changes significantly, hydrogen cars remain a niche option for most drivers.

The government has set a target of 10 gigawatts of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030, but widespread consumer infrastructure is likely some way behind that.

Ready to lease an electric car?

The future of EV battery tech is exciting.

But the electric cars available right now are more capable than ever, with ranges, charging speeds, and lease deals that make switching easier than you might expect.