A number of competitors have tried to offer solid-state batteries, but so far no one has made a commercial product and put it on the mass market.

       Solid Power, a battery startup backed by Ford Motor, said it expects to begin testing solid-state batteries for automotive production in early 2022, a sign that it could eventually help established car companies make headway in electric vehicles.

         The start-up was spun off from the University of Colorado in 2014 and began producing batteries in a pilot line at its Colorado factory in the second quarter of this year. Doug Campbell, the company's chief executive, said these first-generation batteries were already 15 to 20 per cent more powerful than the lithium-ion batteries used in today's electric cars.

         "Assuming everything stays the same and Oems continue to operate at their pace, we could start production in 2026, but it's more likely in 2027," Campbell said in an interview. "We are talking to some Oems about whether we can speed up this process."

        Bringing batteries from the lab to mass production requires years of testing to make sure the batteries meet automotive standards before the manufacturing process can begin.

        Mr Campbell said Solid Power was in talks with eight carmakers but would not sign contracts until the technology had developed further. He said the timetable could be extended to 2025 with "extensive cooperation" from car companies. It has raised $26m in equity financing, including investments from Ford and Hyundai's venture arm. It also signed a joint development agreement with BMW AG.

        The startup isn't looking for the billions of dollars needed to build a factory from scratch -- it designs batteries that can be made in an existing factory. Mr Campbell said Solid Power could work with an established manufacturer such as Panasonic or Samsung, or form a joint venture with a carmaker that wants to make its own batteries, as Tesla and GENERAL Motors are already doing.

        Jim Farley, Ford's chief executive, said last month that ford was considering whether to make its own batteries to power the car's new electric models.

       Separately, Toyota reportedly hopes to become the first company in the world to mass-produce a solid-state battery car, with a prototype coming out next year and going on sale in the early part of the decade 2021-2030. Toyota says its upcoming solid-state batteries will transform not just electric cars but the entire industry.

        This type of battery uses solid materials instead of flammable liquids for charging and discharging. They could pack more energy than lithium-ion batteries to expand range, cut costs, improve safety and shorten charging times, bringing electric cars on a par with gasoline-powered vehicles.

        A number of competitors have tried to offer solid-state batteries, but so far no one has made a commercial product and put it on the mass market.

        Volkswagen - backed startup QuantumScape Corp. The latest performance data for its solid-state technology was released this week, claiming that the improvements can charge 80% of a full power battery in 15 minutes, almost twice as much as the Tesla Model 3. The company estimates that its first battery plant will cost $1.6bn to build. The joint venture with Volkswagen plans to start producing batteries in 2024.