battery industry

Chinese automaker BYD has confirmed plans to bring an electric car with a solid-state battery to market in 2027. The move would place the world's largest EV maker among the first automakers to commercialise the technology, which promises greater energy density, faster charging and improved safety over conventional lithium-ion cells.

Energy Storage Europe says the rapid rollout of battery energy storage systems (BESS) is outpacing existing cybersecurity protections and calls for an urgent overhaul of security standards across the sector. The industry body warns that as grid-scale storage becomes a bigger part of energy infrastructure, it presents an increasing attack surface that current rules and practices do not adequately cover. The call adds to broader debate in Europe about securing critical energy assets amid rising digital threats.

Chinese electric vehicle makers NIO and Geely have announced a partnership covering EV charging networks and battery swapping technology. The deal would link NIO's battery swap infrastructure, one of the largest in China, with Geely's vehicle lineup and energy services. Cooperation between two of China's biggest EV groups signals growing industry consolidation around battery swapping as a charging alternative.

China currently supplies up to 70% of the battery-grade lithium chemicals used in Europe, and a German recycling company has opened a new plant it hopes will help cut that dependence. The company's process recovers lithium from batteries, though significant obstacles remain before it can make a real dent in imports. The project is being watched as a test case for Europe's broader push to secure homegrown supplies of critical raw materials for the electric vehicle and battery industries.

Electric vehicles offering around 300 miles of range have become the standard expectation for new models, according to a new analysis from InsideEVs. The publication asks whether 400 miles will be the next benchmark as battery technology improves and automakers compete on range figures. The piece is prompting debate among EV enthusiasts about whether consumers actually need that much range or whether charging infrastructure matters more.

An American-developed battery technology is being pitched as a way to loosen China's dominance over the electric vehicle supply chain. China currently controls much of the world's battery production and critical mineral processing, making any credible US alternative strategically significant. Industry coverage suggests the technology could reduce Western automakers' dependence on Chinese suppliers, though questions remain over cost, scale and timelines.

Solar combined with battery storage is making its strongest case yet in Texas, according to energy industry reporting. The state's growing power demand and grid strain are driving interest in solar-plus-storage systems as a reliable alternative, and the argument is being closely watched by energy markets and policymakers elsewhere.

An auto industry executive has publicly admitted that most companies are struggling to develop solid-state EV batteries, calling out an uncomfortable truth in the race to commercialize the technology. Solid-state batteries promise greater range, faster charging and improved safety, but mass production has proven difficult, and the comments suggest timelines may slip further than many manufacturers have publicly acknowledged.

A new report argues the next wave of American battery demand will come not from electric vehicles but from grid-scale storage, as utilities add batteries to balance growing amounts of wind and solar power and to stabilize an aging electricity network under rising demand from data centers. Industry watchers see this as a structural shift in where battery manufacturing and investment will flow next.

Canada's arrangement with China over electric vehicles is being framed as a story that goes beyond imported cars. Beyond tariffs on Chinese-built EVs, the discussion touches on deeper ties in manufacturing, battery supply chains and investment that could shape Canada's auto sector. Observers are watching whether Ottawa will widen its approach to Chinese involvement in the country's EV industry as a whole.

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio will operate a dedicated battery swapping network for Geely's ride-hailing brand Cao Cao Mobility and robotaxi fleets, according to an industry report. The arrangement would give Geely's commercial fleets access to Nio's fast battery swap technology through a segregated network, separate from the one serving Nio's own customers, as both automakers push deeper into fleet and autonomous mobility services.

China has started mass production of a new battery developed using space technology, according to CGTN reporting framed under its energy innovation coverage. The item highlights the transfer of aerospace-derived technology into civilian energy storage, though details on the battery's chemistry, capacity or intended applications have not been made clear. The announcement fits into ongoing Chinese efforts to showcase advances in energy technology and industrial self-reliance.

Volkswagen is preparing an electric successor to its Tiguan, to be launched under the ID. brand in early 2027. The electric SUV is expected to sit in the compact segment, one of the most important categories for the German carmaker, as it continues shifting its lineup towards battery-powered models amid intensifying competition from European, American and Chinese manufacturers.

The UK's largest solar and energy storage exhibition took place in Birmingham, bringing together industry figures from across the renewable energy sector. pv magazine reported the main takeaways from the event, covering developments in solar technology, battery storage and the policy landscape shaping the UK's clean energy transition.

Indian solar equipment maker Swelect has launched a new range of hybrid solar inverters aimed at commercial and industrial customers. The product line is designed to combine solar generation with battery storage, helping businesses cut grid dependence and manage energy costs. The launch was reported by pv magazine Global.