GAC Solid-State Battery Breakthrough: China Unveils 60+ Ah Cells with 7.7 mAh/cm² Areal Capacity—Promises 2X EV Range!

Published on: November 25, 2025

GAC Solid-State Battery Breakthrough: November 2025 Pilot Line Highlights

Cell Capacity: 60+ Ah large-format pouch cells—first in China for solid-state tech.
Areal Capacity: Record 7.7 mAh/cm²—breaks conventional 5 mAh/cm² ceiling, enables thicker electrodes.
Energy Density: Nearly 2X current lithium-ion—the same pack size could double the range (311 miles → 621 miles).
Safety Edge: Solid electrolyte stable up to 300–400°C—virtually eliminates fire risk.
Pilot Line Status: China’s first industrial-scale solid-state line; small-batch production for testing, not yet mass production.
Timeline: In-vehicle testing 2026; commercial production targeted 2027–2030.
Strategic Impact: Positions China head-to-head with Japan (Toyota), the US (QuantumScape), and Korea (Samsung SDI) in the solid-state race.

GAC Shatters Solid-State Barriers: 60+ Ah Cells with Double Energy Density Put China at the Forefront of Next-Gen EV Batteries

In a move that has sent shockwaves across the global EV industry, Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has unveiled China’s first pilot production line for large-capacity solid-state battery cells exceeding 60 Ah—a technological leap that could fundamentally reshape electric mobility. Announced on November 25, 2025, and detailed by SaurEnergy, this breakthrough catapults China from lab-scale experiments straight into the early industrialization phase of solid-state technology, challenging long-held leads by Japan, the United States, and South Korea.

Beyond 60 Ah: What the Numbers Really Mean

While most current EV pouch cells hover between 40 and 50 Ah, GAC’s new solid-state cells push past 60 Ah with an astonishing areal capacity of 7.7 mAh/cm²—shattering the conventional ceiling of ~5 mAh/cm². This metric is crucial: higher areal capacity allows thicker electrodes that store dramatically more energy without cracking during manufacturing. Result? Fewer cells needed per pack, lower weight, reduced complexity, and ultimately cheaper, longer-range EVs.

GAC boldly claims these cells deliver nearly double the energy density of today’s best lithium-ion packs. In practical terms, a mid-size EV that currently achieves 500 km (311 miles) on a full charge could realistically hit 1,000 km (621 miles) with the same physical battery volume—without resorting to massive, heavy packs that compromise handling and efficiency.

Safety First: The Solid-State Superpower

Unlike traditional lithium-ion cells that rely on flammable liquid electrolytes, GAC’s solid-state design uses a ceramic or polymer solid electrolyte that remains stable even at 300–400°C. Thermal runaway and fire risks, the Achilles’ heel of current EVs, are virtually eliminated. Combined with higher voltage tolerance and faster charging potential, this makes solid-state the holy grail that automakers worldwide have chased for over a decade.

From Lab to Road: The 2026–2030 Roadmap

The new pilot line is not yet mass-production ready—it will initially churn out limited batches for rigorous testing. GAC plans to integrate these cells into real vehicles for on-road validation starting in 2026, with commercial-scale manufacturing eyed between 2027 and 2030. Success hinges on three pillars: market appetite for premium-range EVs, maturation of the solid-electrolyte supply chain, and continued cost reduction from today’s estimated $200–300/kWh down toward the $80–100/kWh parity target.

China Charges Ahead in the Global Race

For years, Toyota (2027–2028 target), QuantumScape (US), Samsung SDI, and LG Energy Solution have dominated solid-state headlines. GAC’s 60+ Ah pilot line changes that narrative overnight. Backed by state support and vertical integration (GAC owns its battery arm, Inpai), China now has a tangible industrial foothold—not just prototypes, but a functioning line capable of scaling.

As SaurEnergy aptly summarised: “This is seemingly the first step in bringing the country head-to-head with established players from Japan, the US, and Korea.”

When (not if) GAC cracks mass production, the ripple effects will be seismic: 1,000 km range becoming mainstream, faster charging, lighter vehicles, and a potential knockout blow to range anxiety. The solid-state era just got very real—and very Chinese.

Source: www.saurenergy.com

GAC Solid-State Battery Breakthrough: China Unveils 60+ Ah Cells with 7.7 mAh/cm² Areal Capacity—Promises 2X EV Range!

GAC Solid-State Battery Breakthrough: November 2025 Pilot Line Highlights

GAC Shatters Solid-State Barriers: 60+ Ah Cells with Double Energy Density Put China at the Forefront of Next-Gen EV Batteries