What happened
At the 2026 World Power Battery Conference in Yibin, Sichuan, Chery chairman Yin Tongyue spoke about the new-energy vehicle industry, next-generation battery technology, supply chain collaboration and globalization. He said Chinese automakers should treat overseas expansion as a long-term commitment rather than a chance to reap short-term gains.
Chery disclosed its Rhino battery family, divided into hybrid-specific, pure-electric-specific and solid-state-specific lines. Yin said the solid-state cell has reached 400Wh/kg, with a semi-solid hybrid version planned for vehicle installation in the fourth quarter of 2026 and full solid-state cells slated for vehicle validation in 2027.
Yin also argued that electrification does not automatically mean 'green,' noting that much of the electricity used for charging and manufacturing still comes from thermal power. He said Chery's production bases now get more than 52% of their electricity from wind and solar, and that carbon-footprint accounting covers 100% of its on-sale models.
Why it matters
Yin's framing of overseas expansion signals a shift from chasing export volumes to building durable, cooperative relationships abroad. His reference to early foreign automakers entering China suggests he wants Chinese companies to help traditional players transition rather than simply displace them.
The battery roadmap underscores that competition is moving beyond raw energy density to production readiness and safety verification. Chery's line that 'innovation can be bold but installation must be extremely cautious' reflects a broader effort to prove that fast-developing EVs can also be reliable and trustworthy.
Key facts
Chery's Rhino battery includes hybrid-specific, pure-electric-specific and solid-state-specific series, with the solid-state cell reaching 400Wh/kg.
A semi-solid Rhino version is planned to go into vehicles in Q4 2026, and all-solid-state batteries are scheduled to begin vehicle validation in 2027.
Chery says its manufacturing sites use over 52% green electricity from wind and solar, and 100% of its on-sale models are covered by carbon-footprint accounting.
Yin predicted China's auto exports could exceed 10 million vehicles in 2026, with new-energy vehicles making up more than half.
What to watch next
Whether Chery meets its timeline for semi-solid and all-solid-state battery integration, and how its safety validation process evolves as it scales up.
Whether Yin's call for 'deep cultivation' overseas translates into concrete cooperation and investment deals, particularly in developed auto markets such as Spain that he highlighted as examples.