BYD Maps Out Solid-State Batteries by 2030 While Scouting a Second European Plant

BYD reveals the redesigned Seal 07 sedan, plans solid-state battery mass production around 2030, and expands hiring and European manufacturing.

BYD is pressing ahead on two fronts at once: overhauling the models that drive its sales today and laying the groundwork for the technology it expects to define the next decade. On Monday the Chinese electric-vehicle maker unveiled the exterior design of the second-generation Seal 07 sedan, part of a broader refresh of its highest-volume nameplates.

According to media reports, the redesigned sedan will reach customers in both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid form. The reveal follows a similar update to the Seagull, the compact city car sold in export markets as the Atto 1. That model moves to a second-generation platform with rear-wheel drive and a multi-link rear suspension, seats five, and lifts electric motor output to 95 kilowatts, with a launch in China slated before the end of 2026.

The new Seal 07 grows noticeably in both length and wheelbase. Buyers will be able to choose a plug-in hybrid variant or a fully electric version whose motor produces up to 300 kilowatts, and the options list includes a roof-mounted LiDAR system for advanced driver-assistance functions.

Solid-State Cells Slated for Around 2030

Underpinning the longer-range product plan is a battery roadmap that stretches well past the current lineup. BYD is targeting commercial mass production of solid-state batteries around 2030, leaning heavily on sulfide-based solid electrolytes in their development.

Chief scientist Lian Yubo said the new cells will not immediately displace the established Blade battery, which uses lithium iron phosphate chemistry. Instead, the two are expected to be deployed side by side, with solid-state technology reserved for premium models for the time being. That timeline puts BYD alongside international rivals such as Toyota, which is also aiming to bring its first solid-state-equipped vehicles to market in 2027 and 2028.

Hiring Surge Backs the Production Ramp

To keep pace with the wave of new models entering serial output, BYD is expanding its workforce at home. At its Xi'an production site the company is currently recruiting more than 8,000 new employees for its plants and various business units.

Reuters, citing the Chinese outlet Yicai, reported that the campaign includes bonuses of up to 6,000 yuan for successful applicants. The staffing push reflects the speed at which the group is moving new model generations onto the line, and the heavy investment in local labor helps secure the ramp-up of forthcoming series such as the revised Seal.

Europe: One Plant Opening, Another Being Chosen

Beyond China, BYD is deepening its commitment to Europe. Its first European factory, in Hungary, is starting operations, and preparations for further manufacturing steps are already under way.

A European adviser to BYD said the company intends to select a location for a second plant by the end of the year, with Spain and France seen as the leading candidates for acquiring and modernizing a facility. Over the long term, the strategy calls for deeper local value creation: the adviser said BYD will eventually need three vehicle assembly plants and its own battery factory on the continent. Executive Vice President Stella Li also announced that BYD plans to introduce its first heavy-duty truck in Europe in 2027 and, in time, to build trucks locally as well.

Australia: Fleet Sales Gain Ground

The product offensive dovetails with management's efforts to win market share outside China. In Australia, BYD is stepping up its push into the commercial segment. Stephen Collins, chief operating officer of BYD Australia, said the fleet share of the country's sales mix climbed from roughly 8 percent to 20 percent within a year, and the local unit is targeting a figure in the mid-30 percent range over the medium term.

Shares Stay Under Pressure

None of the operational expansion has been enough to fully lift the stock. The shares slipped on the day, trading at EUR 8.75, a decline of 1.0 percent, and remain 30 percent below their 52-week high of EUR 12.49. Market participants are weighing the ambitious investment and expansion plans against a challenging environment and intensifying competition, while persistent margin pressure in the Chinese home market continues to hold the listing back.