China Sets Solid-State Battery Standards — Three National Norms Expected by Year-End

China will release draft national standards for solid-state batteries in electric vehicles by the end of this year, covering performance specifications, safety requirements and lifespan criteria, Wang Fang, chief scientist at the China Automotive Technology and Research Center, announced at the 2026 World Power Battery Conference.

The three standards have been formally approved for development, completing the final chapters of a four-part series on EV solid-state batteries. The first part — terminology and classification — was published earlier this year.

Four-Part Standard Framework

The complete standard series covers:

• Part 1: Terminology and classification (published)
• Part 2: Performance specifications (draft pending)
• Part 3: Safety specifications (draft pending)
• Part 4: Lifespan specifications (draft pending)

The classification standard divides solid-state batteries into three categories based on the electrolyte type between electrodes: liquid batteries using liquid electrolytes, hybrid solid-liquid batteries using both liquid and solid electrolytes, and solid-state batteries using only solid electrolytes. The term "semi-solid-state battery" is officially recognized as a permitted synonym for hybrid solid-liquid batteries, while "all-solid-state battery" is accepted for full solid-state cells.

Global Standards Leadership

In August 2026, China successfully led the proposal for an International Electrotechnical Commission standard titled Solid-State Batteries for Electric Vehicle Traction — Application Guide, Test Items and Conditions, marking the first-ever IEC standard in the solid-state battery sector.

The move underscores China's push to shape global norms for next-generation EV batteries as the industry transitions from current lithium-ion technology toward solid-state architectures.