What company is leading in solid-state batteries?
There isn’t a single company that has definitively “won” the race to solid-state batteries. Toyota is widely viewed as the front-runner in development and roadmap, while QuantumScape, Solid Power, CATL, LG Energy Solution, and Samsung SDI are among the other key players pushing prototypes, pilots, and partnerships toward eventual commercial use.
What makes solid-state batteries different
Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte used in conventional lithium-ion cells with a solid electrolyte. This can enable higher energy density, better safety (fewer flammable components), and potentially faster charging. The trade-offs, however, include manufacturing complexity, materials compatibility, cost, and scaling from lab prototypes to mass production. The market is watching how well these issues can be resolved at scale, not just in laboratory tests.
Leading players today
The following players are the most prominent in terms of development progress, automotive partnerships, and readiness to scale—though none has yet begun wide-scale commercial production of solid-state cells for consumer vehicles.
- Toyota — long the most active in solid-state research, with extensive testing and a clear roadmap toward automotive-grade cells. Toyota’s work has kept it at the forefront of industry discussions about feasibility, performance, and timing.
- QuantumScape — a U.S.-based startup backed by Volkswagen and investors, known for its solid-state Li-metal test cells and a pilot manufacturing line. It remains focused on moving from lab-scale results toward automotive-scale production.
- Solid Power — a Colorado-based company with automotive partnerships, pursuing pilot production and integration toward Ford and BMW applications. Progress centers on packaging, reliability, and supplier readiness for vehicles.
- CATL — China’s leading battery maker, actively developing solid-state concepts and prototypes and pursuing collaborations with automakers. It is advancing research while evaluating paths to production.
- LG Energy Solution — a major global battery supplier that is pursuing solid-state research and prototype development, with an eye toward eventual scale and supply-chain readiness.
- Samsung SDI — another large Korean player developing solid-state chemistry and collaborating with automakers, aiming to translate lab breakthroughs into market-ready formats.
Across these players, leadership is defined by more than lab performance: it includes scale-up capabilities, supply-chain integration, testing across vehicle assurance programs, and clear timelines for when production-ready cells might reach automakers. As of now, no company has begun wide mass production of solid-state batteries for consumer vehicles.
Milestones and timelines
Industry observers gauge progress through a set of common milestones, from laboratory breakthroughs to pilot lines and eventual automotive supply deals. The following milestones illustrate the current state of play and where momentum is likely to shift next.
- Demonstration of stable, high-energy-density solid-state cells in laboratory and benchtop formats, including longer cycle life and resistance to dendrite formation.
- Establishment of pilot production lines and collaborations with automakers to test cells in representative vehicle packaging.
- Qualification and safety testing aligned with automotive standards, as well as integration work with existing battery manufacturing ecosystems.
- Commercialization milestones, including the signing of supply contracts and gradual introduction into limited production models, subject to cost and reliability improvements.
In practice, progress varies by company and partnership, with some firms prioritizing early pilot deployments and others emphasizing material science breakthroughs and scalable manufacturing processes. The field remains highly competitive and in flux as teams push to convert promising prototypes into reliable, cost-effective products.
Summary
Overall, leadership in solid-state batteries is not owned by a single firm. Toyota is widely regarded as the most advanced in terms of roadmap, testing, and potential deployment, but several other players—QuantumScape, Solid Power, CATL, LG Energy Solution, and Samsung SDI—are making crucial strides in prototypes, pilot production, and automotive partnerships. The coming years will determine which path to commercialization succeeds first and at what scale.
