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| The battery manufacturer Svolt spun off from Great Wall Motor (GWM) in 2018 and ranked 8th in China in November 2025 with a market share of 2.62% |
CHANGZHOU, China – The line between plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles is blurring fast. At the 6th Battery Day here, Chinese battery giant Svolt unleashed a wave of new technology headlined by an energy storage system for hybrids so potent it challenges the range of many current EVs.
Dubbed "Fortress 2.0," this new battery pack boasts a massive 80kWh capacity, designed specifically for large SUVs and family vehicles. Svolt claims that PHEVs equipped with this pack could achieve an all-electric range exceeding 400 kilometers (249 miles). To put that in perspective, that equals or surpasses the total range of several first-generation mass-market electric vehicles, signaling a paradigm shift where hybrids might spend绝大部分 of their daily use running purely on battery power.
The Need for Speed: 6C Ultra-Fast Charging
Such a large battery would be hamstrung without equally impressive charging speeds. Svolt has addressed this with new cells employing a specialized graphite technology, enabling what the company calls a 6C ultra-fast charging rate. In practical terms, this allows the Fortress 2.0 battery to surge from 10% to 80% state of charge in approximately ten minutes. This breakthrough could eliminate one of the last remaining hassles for PHEV owners—long wait times to replenish a sizable battery. Mass production for this system is slated to begin in March 2026.
The innovation isn't limited to hardware. Svolt also unveiled the latest evolution of its Ion Oscillation Pulse Charging software technology. This intelligent charging method, which optimizes ion movement within the cell, is claimed to reduce overall charging times by an additional 25% without increasing costs. This software upgrade is scheduled for deployment in initial vehicle models starting in Q3 2026.
For more details on the industry's push towards faster charging, a recent deep-dive into related technology can be found here.
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| Presentation of the "Fortress 2.0" at the 6th Svolt Battery Day. The slide shows the 80kWh capacity, over 249 miles of range for hybrids and 6C fast charging in 10 minutes |
Solid-State Progress and a Path to Profitability
Beyond next-generation lithium-ion, Svolt reported significant strides in the realm of solid-state batteries. The company's first-generation semi-solid-state battery, with an energy density of 270Wh/kg, is already in pilot production. Notably, this cell is poised for its first automotive application with a European brand—widely believed to be BMW-owned Mini. This aligns with Svolt's October 2025 confirmation of developing customized solutions for the brand.
A second-generation semi-solid-state cell, achieving a remarkable 342 Wh/kg, has been tailored for the demanding aerospace sector, specifically eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, and has successfully completed flight tests.
For the broader market, Svolt is focusing on cost-effectiveness and safety. Production of a more affordable mid-nickel variant (245 Wh/kg) is planned for October 2026. These cells utilize a new electrolyte transfer technology said to significantly enhance resistance to thermal runaway, a key safety concern.
The strategic focus appears to be paying off financially. After a challenging period for the battery sector, Svolt celebrated its first quarterly profit in Q4 2025 and is steering towards full-year profitability in 2026.
With the Fortress 2.0, Svolt isn't just iterating; it's proposing a new category of hybrid—one where the "electric" in electric vehicle takes center stage, backed by charging speeds and future battery tech that rivals the pure EV playbook. The race for electrification just gained a powerful new contender.
For more information on Svolt's full technology portfolio, visit their official website at https://www.svolt.cn/.