Power


Solid-state batteries: still on the brink of breakthrough?


By Dr Dustin Bauer from Reddie & Grose S


olid-state batteries (SSBs) have been considered the “next big thing” in energy storage for well over a decade. With the promise of improved safety, higher energy density, and faster charging compared to conventional lithium-ion systems, they’ve attracted huge levels of investment and attention.


In 2026, the conversation has shifted more than ever to when solid-state batteries will arrive at scale, and what still needs to fall into place before they do. SSBs have already demonstrated technical viability and are widely regarded as an essential part of the future of battery technology, with early deployment in applications such as portable chargers and motorcycles. Samsung is currently progressing toward mass production, with a view to integrate the technology into higher-specification products. The focus must now move to the remaining barriers: achieving scalable manufacturing processes and improving cost efficiency to enable broader commercial adoption.


From early hype to a more realistic timeline


Expectations for rapid commercialisation were strong in the early 2020s, particularly within the electric vehicle space. It was highly anticipated that there would be mid-decade breakthroughs in technology and these would be quickly adopted, however, since then, deadlines have softened.


It is important to note, though, that this change does not reflect failure within the industry, so much as a better understanding of the challenges, as well as technological advancement of more conventional battery chemistries which has led to higher energy density, lower cost, lithium-ion batteries. Further, solid-state batteries are not a simple upgrade to lithium-ion, they require entirely different materials, cell designs, and


18 June 2026


production methods. Therefore, moving from lab success towards reliable, high-volume manufacturing is a far more complex process than some had initially anticipated. The underlying appeal of solid-state technology has not gone anywhere, despite the slower-than-expected progress. This is because replacing liquid electrolytes with solid materials offers a clear safety advantage and reduces the risk of leakage or fire. As such, SSBs remain very desirable for many applications. Equally, the potential to use lithium metal anodes provides more opportunities to achieve higher energy densities going forward.


This will have a particularly positive impact across industries that are reliant on battery technology. For example, electric vehicles can achieve increased driving ranges and consumer devices can benefit from lighter, longer-lasting batteries.


Components in Electronics


For industries that feature saturated markets, these advancements are pivotal for ensuring performance gains can be achieved and translated directly into competitive advantage, making the benefits too difficult to ignore.


The true challenge: scaling up While some still believe that proving solid- state batteries can work is the problem, this is not the case – it’s making them work reliably, at scale, and at a competitive cost. Whilst laboratory results have shown clear, steady progress, the manufacturing of SSBs remains a difficulty. Producing solid- state cells often requires new fabrication techniques and tighter material tolerances, as well as entirely different production environments. This makes scaling up a technical issue and an industrial one. But this is where attention has started


to shift over time, as advances in the manufacturing processes, including dry electrode coating, are being explored in new ways to reduce cost and environmental impact. These processes are still evolving, though, so implementing them into large- scale production will take time and resources.


Sustainability considerations Another factor is sustainability, and particularly in Europe where regulations are tight, this key consideration is pushing battery developers to think beyond performance and consider the full lifecycle of their products. Carbon footprint, recycled content, and end-of-life handling are now all central concerns needing to be resolved. It’s no longer as simple as judging batteries on how they perform; it is also imperative to ensure materials are responsibly resourced, produced, and disposed of. For SSBs, this


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