BYD’s Rolls-Royce Lookalike Could Be World’s First EV With Solid-State Battery

BYD has unveiled the first official images of the Yangwang flagship sedan, which bears a striking resemblance to the Rolls-Royce Phantom. The sedan, however, may be the more significant development as it could be BYD's first vehicle equipped with a solid-state battery. BYD's Executive Vice President Stella Li has previously stated that a vehicle using solid-state battery technology will arrive in 2027, though she has not specified the model or confirmed production timelines.

A luxury vehicle in limited numbers could serve as a feasible starting point for the technology while production remains costly. Currently, most electric vehicle batteries rely on liquid electrolytes to facilitate lithium ion movement between electrodes. Solid-state batteries replace this with a solid electrolyte, potentially resulting in smaller, lighter, and higher-energy-density battery packs.

They also offer safety benefits by eliminating the risk associated with flammable liquid electrolytes. Nevertheless, solid-state batteries still encounter engineering hurdles such as maintaining internal contact, durability, and lithium growth. BYD has not disclosed the sedan's battery capacity, driving range, or charging specifications.

A teaser image of the Yangwang sedan alongside a BYD Flash Charging station has fueled speculation about the vehicle's battery technology. However, this image does not confirm the sedan's use of a solid-state battery, as BYD already employs Flash Charging technology with its conventional Blade Battery 2.0. Numerous automakers are working on or testing solid-state battery technology, including NIO, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Toyota, which aim to introduce EVs using solid-state batteries in 2027-2028.

BYD has separately announced its plan to incorporate solid-state battery technology in a vehicle by 2027, but has not specified the model. The distinctive rear-hinged doors of the Yangwang sedan are likely to draw attention, but confirmation of a solid-state battery would significantly boost the sedan's importance for BYD's forthcoming EV technology.