GAC Aion Successfully Installs All-Solid-State Batteries in 2026 Models
Guangzhou, China – January 5, 2026
The “Solid-State” Milestone: GAC Aion Successfully Installs All-Solid-State Batteries in 2026 Models, Ending the Era of Liquid Electrolytes:
A New Paradigm for Global Transportation. In an announcement that has reverberated through the automotive world, the Chinese electric vehicle giant GAC Aion has confirmed that it has reached the “Holy Grail” of battery technology.
As of January 3, 2026, the company has officially commenced the mass-production integration of “all-solid-state” power batteries into its flagship 2026 Haobo (Hyper) models.
This development marks the first time in history that solid-state technology—long considered a “decade away”—has moved from the laboratory to the commercial assembly line.
By replacing the flammable liquid electrolytes found in traditional lithium-ion batteries with a high-density, solid sulfide material, GAC Aion has effectively eliminated the fire risk associated with EVs while nearly doubling their operational range.
The Sulfide Solution: Breaking the Energy Density Barrier
The core of this scientific victory lies in the unique “sulfide-based” solid-state electrolyte developed at GAC Aion’s research facility in Guangzhou. For years, the industry struggled with the interface resistance between solid components—the difficulty of getting ions to move efficiently through a solid medium.
However, GAC Aion’s new architecture utilizes a proprietary nano-crystalline sulfide compound that allows for ion conductivity levels that rival, and in some cases exceed, traditional liquid electrolytes.
This leap in material science has allowed the Haobo models to achieve an energy density of over 450 Wh/kg. To put this in perspective, the highest-performing liquid-lithium batteries of 2025 struggled to reach 300 Wh/kg.
For the consumer, this translates to a real-world range of over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) on a single charge. This effectively ends “range anxiety,” making the electric vehicle a viable primary car for long-distance travel without the need for the extensive, high-speed charging infrastructure that has hindered adoption in rural areas of North America and Europe.
Safety and Thermal Stability: The End of “Thermal Runaway”
Perhaps more significant than the range is the fundamental shift in safety.
Traditional lithium-ion batteries are prone to “thermal runaway”—a catastrophic chain reaction where the liquid electrolyte catches fire if the battery is punctured or overheats.
Solid-state batteries are intrinsically non-flammable. During GAC Aion’s rigorous testing, the solid-state cells were subjected to extreme “nail penetration” tests and temperatures exceeding 200°C without showing any signs of smoke or ignition.
This thermal stability also enables ultra-fast charging without the risk of degrading the battery’s lifespan. The 2026 Haobo models feature a “Hyper-Charge” capability that can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in just 12 minutes.
Because the solid electrolyte does not form the “dendrites” (microscopic spikes) that plague liquid batteries during rapid charging, these cells are rated for a lifespan of over 1.5 million kilometers, potentially outlasting the car’s chassis itself.
The “CJ Strategy”: The Geopolitical Battery Race
Following the “CJ Strategy” of looking behind the curtain, this announcement is a major victory for Beijing in the “Battery Cold War.”
While Western manufacturers like Toyota and Volkswagen have signaled that their solid-state fleets would not be ready until late 2027 or 2028, China has once again leveraged its integrated supply chain to move first.
This “First-Mover Advantage” allows GAC Aion to set the global technical standards for the next decade of transportation.
However, a challenge remains: the cost of production. Sulfide-based solid-state batteries currently require high-purity lithium and specialized vacuum-sealed manufacturing environments, making the 2026 Haobo models significantly more expensive than their liquid-lithium counterparts.
CJ Global intelligence suggests that while this is a “luxury debut,” the rapid scaling of these Guangzhou facilities aims to reduce costs by 40% by the end of 2027, eventually bringing solid-state technology to the mass-market “commuter” class.
Environmental Impact and the Recycling Loop
From an environmental science perspective, the transition to solid-state is a net positive. The solid architecture is easier to disassemble at the end of its life, allowing for a “Closed-Loop” recycling process that recovers up to 98% of the lithium and other rare-earth minerals.
This reduces the pressure on global mining—a critical factor given the regional volatility in South America and the “Lithium-V” disruptions discussed in our Economic section.
As we move further into 2026, the success of GAC Aion’s Haobo line will be the barometer for the entire automotive industry.
We are witnessing the beginning of the “Post-Liquid Era,” a transformation that will redefine urban planning, logistics, and the very way we think about mobility.
For CJ Global, the Guangzhou milestone is proof that when it comes to the future of energy, the transition from “liquid” to “solid” is the most important journey of our time.
Science Headlines from the Guangzhou Desk:
• Mass-Production Milestone: GAC Aion officially integrates solid-state batteries into Haobo models.
• Range Revolution: New 450 Wh/kg cells deliver over 1,000km on a single charge.
• Safety First: Sulfide-based electrolytes eliminate the risk of fire and thermal runaway.
• Hyper-Charging: 10% to 80% charge achieved in 12 minutes without cell degradation.
