BASF just shipped key materials for semi‑solid‑state EV batteries — here’s why that’s a big deal for drivers everywhere

What happened (and why it matters)

On August 29, 2025, BASF announced it has delivered its first batches of mass‑produced cathode active materials to China’s WELION (WeLion) New Energy for use in semi‑solid‑state batteries — a milestone both companies frame as a step toward industrializing next‑gen solid‑state tech. In plain English: a heavyweight chemicals supplier just moved crucial battery materials from lab to factory, with a partner known for pushing semi‑solid cells into real products. That nudges the EV world closer to safer batteries with better energy density — more range in the same space.

Okay, but what is a “semi‑solid‑state” battery?

Think of today’s lithium‑ion battery as a croissant: flaky layers and a gooey filling (the liquid electrolyte) that helps ions move. In a fully solid‑state battery, that “goo” is replaced by solid material, promising higher energy density and safety — but it’s notoriously tough to manufacture at scale. Semi‑solid‑state keeps a tiny amount of liquid while adding solid components, aiming for a Goldilocks balance: safer, denser, and more manufacturable than today’s cells without the full leap to all‑solid. The approach has already crept into early products; for example, recent reports highlighted semi‑solid packs in upcoming mass‑market models, underscoring that this is shifting from slide decks to streets.

Why BASF + WeLion is a notable pairing

BASF isn’t a startup betting the house on a science project; it’s a global materials giant with a dedicated battery business and a joint venture in China (BASF Shanshan) that’s been scaling cathode materials for years. WeLion, meanwhile, has become one of the most visible champions of semi‑solid‑state cells in EVs and energy storage. Their new cathode chemistry — an ultra‑high‑nickel NCM with a special coating to tame the tricky interface between the cathode and solid electrolyte — is designed to cut resistance, boost capacity, and slow degradation. Translation: more range, better longevity, and fewer battery gremlins. If those claims hold up in millions of cells, not just thousands, expect automakers to take notice fast.

How this ties into the bigger EV story

The timing slots neatly into a broader wave of battery experimentation. Automakers from Detroit to Tokyo are piloting semi‑solid or solid‑state programs for mid‑decade demos, with some planning early fleets as soon as 2026. The industry’s not marching in lockstep — different chemistries, suppliers, and timelines — but the direction of travel is clear: more energy per kilogram, safer operation, and manufacturability that doesn’t require rebuilding the world’s gigafactories from scratch. BASF’s move feeds this pipeline with production‑grade materials, which can be a make‑or‑break bottleneck for scaling beyond boutique volumes.

What it could mean for everyday life

• Longer range without a bigger battery. Higher energy density means the same‑size pack can take you farther — fewer roadside “charging‑and‑chai” stops on a winter drive from Montreal to Toronto.
• Improved safety margins. By reducing flammable liquid and tightening up interfaces, semi‑solid designs can be more tolerant of abuse and heat. That doesn’t make EVs fire‑proof — nothing does — but it can lower risks.
• Better cold‑weather performance. Some semi‑solid formulations have shown resilience in low temperatures, a big deal for colder climates where winter saps range like your phone at 1%.

The comic relief (and a grain of salt)

If battery technology were a cooking show, semi‑solid‑state is the episode where the chef admits the all‑solid soufflé keeps collapsing — so they invent a sturdier “semi‑solid” mousse and serve it anyway. Tastes great, holds its shape, wins the round. Still, materials science is unforgiving: cycling life, fast‑charge stability, and cost all have to perform at once, not just in press releases. We’ll want independent test data and, most importantly, proof that yields and quality hold up when suppliers ramp from thousands to millions of cells.

Fresh perspectives to watch next

• Supply chain geopolitics. BASF’s China‑based JV underscores how battery materials remain deeply global. Expect more partnerships that marry Western IP with Asian manufacturing scale — and policy debates about where critical steps should live.
• Who integrates first. Keep an eye on brands that already hinted at semi‑solid pilots or unveiled early models. If they lock in reliable materials and suppliers, they’ll set the bar on range and charging convenience.
• Grid storage spillovers. Semi‑solid’s safety and cycle‑life gains could spill into stationary storage, smoothing renewable energy on the grid — which ultimately helps your power bill and keeps the lights on when demand spikes.

The bottom line

BASF’s first deliveries to WeLion mark a concrete, industry‑scale step toward better EV batteries — the kind of behind‑the‑scenes progress that, over the next few model years, can translate into longer ranges, safer packs, and more confident winter driving. It’s not the all‑solid‑state endgame, but it’s a meaningful waypoint on the road there — and this time, the waypoint comes with purchase orders, not just PowerPoints.