XPeng Iron reportedly switching to semi-solid batteries as all-solid-state tech lags

XPeng's sub-brand Iron is reportedly shifting from its originally planned all-solid-state battery to a semi-solid (solid-liquid hybrid) battery, as the company faces delays in bringing true all-solid-state technology to market.

The move reflects the broader industry challenge around all-solid-state batteries, which have long been touted as the next major leap in energy density and charging speed but continue to struggle with manufacturing scalability and cost. Semi-solid batteries, also referred to as solid-liquid hybrid batteries, represent an interim step that uses a reduced amount of liquid electrolyte alongside a solid component, offering higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion cells while remaining more feasible to produce at scale.

XPeng had previously signaled ambitions around all-solid-state powertrains, but like many Chinese automakers, it appears to be recalibrating timelines. The company's decision to adopt semi-solid cells for Iron suggests it prioritizes getting the vehicle to market over waiting for the more ambitious chemistry to mature.

Semi-solid batteries are already seeing limited adoption across the Chinese NEV market, with suppliers such as CATL and WeLion offering production-ready versions. They typically deliver energy densities in the 300 to 360 Wh/kg range, compared with roughly 250 to 300 Wh/kg for standard lithium-ion cells and a theoretical 400+ Wh/kg for full all-solid-state designs — though the latter remain largely in the lab or pilot-production phase.

XPeng Iron is positioned as a more affordable offering under the XPeng umbrella, targeting price-sensitive buyers. The battery shift could affect the vehicle's range and charging characteristics, but specific figures for the Iron model have not yet been disclosed.