China battery company Welion achieves 824 Wh/kg energy density in lab, targets 1000 Wh/kg
China’s solid-state battery company Welion New Energy Chairman Yu Huigen has revealed a breakthrough in solid-state battery technology, announcing that the company has achieved an industry-leading energy density of 824 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) in laboratory tests, with future targets exceeding 1000 Wh/kg.
Yu stated during a recent TV programme, Dialogue, of Chinese state media CCTV,
“Our laboratory tests have demonstrated solid-state batteries with energy densities reaching 824 Wh/kg, and we expect to break the 1000 Wh/kg barrier in the long term”
Despite the technical breakthrough, Yu acknowledged that cost factors, particularly expensive raw materials in sulfide-based electrolyte systems, remain the primary obstacle to mass commercialisation.
Yu explained,
“Initially, these batteries will be deployed in price-insensitive applications where safety is paramount”
He specifically highlighted humanoid robots as a promising early application field for the technology.
Founded in 2016, Welion New Energy emerged from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Physics as an industry-academia collaboration. The company has deep connections to China’s battery research elite—its founding team includes Professor Chen Liquan, widely known as the “father of Chinese lithium batteries” and notably the doctoral advisor to Robin Zeng, founder of CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited), the world’s largest battery manufacturer.
The company has built a track record in advanced battery development. In 2023, Welion supplied Nio with 150 kWh semi-solid-state battery packs, enabling the electric vehicle to achieve a record-breaking 1,044 kilometre driving range on a single charge.
Welion New Energy has established production bases in Beijing, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shandong, with a current annual production capacity of 28.2 GWh and plans to exceed 100 GWh. The company’s Shenzhen facility serves as a testing ground for solid-state batteries, with full-scale production targeted for around 2027.
According to recent regulatory filings with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Welion New Energy is now undergoing IPO guidance with CITIC Securities, preparing to list on China’s Growth Enterprise Market. If successful, it would become the first pure-play solid-state battery company to go public in China.
Welion New Energy has previously secured investments through multiple rounds. Among its many investors, beyond major capital firms like Sequoia and Hillhouse, companies such as Huawei, Geely, Xiaomi, and Nio have also invested in the company.
Company Overview: Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology from Google Gemini
Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (commonly known as WeLion) is a leading Chinese high-tech enterprise specializing in the research, development, and production of next-generation solid-state lithium batteries.
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Beijing, WeLion is a spin-off from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The company leverages decades of academic research to bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and industrial-scale manufacturing.
Core Competencies & Technology
Hybrid Solid-Liquid & All-Solid-State Batteries: WeLion is best known for its “solid-liquid hybrid” electrolyte technology, which serves as a pragmatic stepping stone toward fully solid-state systems.
- High Energy Density: Their flagship cells feature a high-nickel cathode and silicon-carbon composite anode, achieving gravimetric energy densities of up to 360 Wh/kg.
- Safety & Longevity: By replacing flammable liquid electrolytes with solid-state components, WeLion significantly improves thermal stability and cycle life compared to traditional Li-ion batteries.
Strategic Partnership with NIO
WeLion gained international prominence through its partnership with the premium EV maker NIO.
The 150 kWh Pack: WeLion is the sole supplier of the 150 kWh semi-solid-state battery pack used in NIO vehicles (such as the ET7 and ES8).
Ultra-Long Range: This battery allows mass-produced electric vehicles to achieve a range exceeding 1,000 km (620 miles) on a single charge—a major milestone in the EV industry.
Market Position and Manufacturing
WeLion operates several major production bases across China (including facilities in Fangshan, Liyang, and Huzhou). As a “Unicorn” company backed by investors like IDG Capital, Xiaomi, and Huawei, it is positioned as a direct competitor to traditional giants like CATL in the next-generation battery race.
Welion Supplier—Neware, we provide battery testing equipment and environmental chamber for them.
China battery company Welion achieves 824 Wh/kg energy density in lab, targets 1000 Wh/kg, source
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