While the global auto industry is still grappling with “range anxiety,” Chinese giant Changan Automobile has just raised the stakes in a spectacular way. According to the latest reports in the Asian press, the manufacturer is on track to launch its “Golden Bell” (Jinzhongzhao) battery, a solid-state technology that promises to radically transform the performance of electric vehicles.
Changan's project is not just a theoretical promise. The company recently confirmed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange's interactive platform that the development process is proceeding according to plan. The timetable is aggressive:
Quarter 3, 2026: The first batteries will be installed for validation on industrial robots and electric vehicle prototypes.
Year 2027: Official start of series production.
The figures presented are, at first glance, science fiction: an energy density of 400 Wh/kg (almost double that of current batteries) and an autonomy exceeding the threshold of 1,500 kilometers on a single charge. Basically, such a car could travel the distance from Bucharest to Vienna without stopping at a charging station.
Beyond autonomy, the big barrier to conventional lithium-ion batteries remains the risk of fire. Changan claims that the Golden Bell battery is 70% safer than current ones. The secret lies in replacing the flammable liquid electrolyte with a solid one, eliminating the risk of internal short circuits through perforation. Furthermore, the system is monitored in real time by remote diagnostics based on Artificial Intelligence, which can detect anomalies before they become dangerous.
Changan is not the only player in this race, but it seems to have a considerable logistical lead. The current landscape shows a fierce competition between the Asian and Western camps:
| Manufacturer | Key Objective | Estimated Timeline |
| Changan | 1,500 km range / 400 Wh/kg | 2027 (Mass Production) |
| Dongfeng | Extreme winter testing (-30°C) | Fall 2026 |
| Toyota | Solid electrolyte partnership (Idemitsu) | 2027-2028 |
| Volkswagen | Collaboration with QuantumScape | Late 2020s |
| BYD & CATL | Transition to mass manufacturing | 2027 |
While Changan focuses on density and robots, compatriots Dongfeng have recently demonstrated that solid-state batteries can defeat the electric car's biggest enemy: the cold. Their recent tests showed that the new 350 Wh/kg battery maintains its performance even in extreme winter conditions, where classic batteries often lose up to 40% of their capacity.
If 2024 was the year of the "price battle" in China, 2027 is shaping up to be the year in which solid-state technology will separate the leaders from the survivors. With a range of 1,500 km and increased safety, the internal combustion engine could lose its last argument to electric propulsion.
Changan plans to launch no less than eight cell variants under the Golden Bell brand by 2030, targeting a production capacity of 150 GWh.