WeLion to Ship 410 Wh/kg Drone Battery This Year, Car Battery in 2027
WeLion New Energy plans a 410 wh/kg semi-solid-state battery for drones by year-end, an all-solid-state car battery in 2027, and two battery-powered cargo ships in Huzhou in October 2026.
WeLion New Energy plans to bring a semi-solid-state battery for drones to market by the end of the year with an energy density of 410 wh/kg, according to technologyreview.com. The Beijing-based battery maker also intends to introduce its first all-solid-state battery for cars in 2027, with an expected energy density of 400 wh/kg.
The company's batteries are also headed to the water. Two inland cargo ships powered by WeLion packs are expected to launch in October 2026 in Huzhou, in eastern China. Each ship's battery pack will carry nearly 4,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to sail up to 250 kilometers.
WeLion currently has an annual manufacturing capacity of 11 GWh spread between four production bases.
Earlier programs
In 2023, WeLion released a battery pack in partnership with Shanghai-based EV maker Nio with an energy density of 360 wh/kg, translating to over 1,000 kilometers of range; only about 200 packs were manufactured because of high production cost. In 2025, WeLion engineers made a semi-solid-state battery that reached 824 wh/kg during testing, far from commercialization.
WeLion was founded in 2016. Its cofounders include Chen Liquan, a scientist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences who led development of China's first all-solid-state battery in 1988.
Quick answers
What energy density will WeLion's drone battery have?
The semi-solid-state battery planned for drones by the end of the year has an energy density of 410 wh/kg.
When will WeLion's all-solid-state car battery arrive?
WeLion intends to introduce its first all-solid-state battery for cars in 2027, with an expected energy density of 400 wh/kg.
When will WeLion's battery-powered cargo ships launch?
Two inland cargo ships powered by WeLion batteries are expected to launch in October 2026 in Huzhou, eastern China. Each battery pack will carry nearly 4,000 kilowatt-hours, enough for up to 250 kilometers.