WeLion. Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., known simply as WeLion New Energy or WeLion (Mandarin: 卫蓝; pinyin: Wèilán), is a Chinese battery manufacturer specializing in semi-solid and solid state batteries for use in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The company is headquartered in the Beijing's Fangshan District, and is a spinoff from the Laboratory of Renewable Energy of the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is best known for supplying the world's first mass produced semi-solid state battery cells for an automotive traction battery application, in the form of Nio's 150kWh swappable battery pack.

History 
In August 2021, WeLion received a  (approximately ) investment from Geely, Huawei and Xiaomi. The investments are from Hubei Xiaomi Yangtze River Industry Investment Fund Partners (Changjiang Industrial Fund and Xiaomi fund launched in 2017) and Shenzhen Hubble Technology Investment Partners (a Huawei venture capital subsidiary), and Ningbo Geely Blue Initiative Business Management Partners (a Geely Holding Group subsidiary). The investments put WeLion's valuation at  (approximately ).

On November 4, 2022 WeLion disclosed that it had secured  (approximately ) in Series D financing.

Partnerships

Nio 
On January 9 2021 at Nio's 'Nio Day 2020' event, Nio announced that a 150kWh semi-solid state battery pack would later be made available. Later, it was revealed that WeLion would be the supplier of the battery cells. On June 30, 2023, Nio received the first shipments of the battery cells, and the packs first became available for rent by the public in mid-2024. The semi-solid state battery cells allow for a 50% higher energy capacity, with an energy density of 360Wh/kg, in the same dimensions compared to a conventional pack, with only a minor  weight increase, allowing for a range of  range in the ET7 sedan.

Tianqi Lithium 
On May 20, 2021 WeLion signed an agreement with a subsidiary of Tianqi Lithium to form a joint venture. The aim of the joint venture is to develop, produce and sell lithium anode materials, and manufacturing equipment and ingredients for battery pre-lithiation processes.

Ronbay Technology 
In April 2022, WeLion signed a five-year agreement with Ronbay Technology for the supply of at least 30,000 tons of battery cathode materials. The agreement stipulates that Ronbay will be WeLion's primary supplier of high-nickel cathode materials for use in NMC chemistry solid-state batteries.

JAC Yiwei 
On April 22, 2024 WeLion and JAC signed an agreement for the supply of semi-solid state battery cells for use in Yiwei brand cars. The batteries will be cylindrical 4695 format cells, and will be used in Yiwei's second generation DI platform, with the first vehicle expected to launch in 2025.

Longquan Energy Storage 
On June 6, 2024 the Longquan Energy Storage project located near Longquan, Zhejiang was connected to the grid. The now operational first phase has a capacity of 200MWh and an output of 100MW and uses WeLion's semi-solid state cells, making it the world's first large scale use of semi-solid state batteries in a battery energy storage system context. The project is run by state-owned Power China, and is eventually planned to have a 400MWh capacity and 200MW output on the 40-acre site. It uses LFP solid-liquid hybrid electrolyte battery cells with a cell capacity of 280Ah, energy density of 165Wh/kg, a rated lifespan of 6000 cycles, and an operating range between . Annual discharge is estimated to be over 60,000GWh.

Facilities 
WeLion is headquartered in Beijing and currently has four production facilities located throughout China.

Beijing Fangshan Base 

 Headquarters, R&D and solid-state battery mass production
 4.66 + 10.1ha
 8GWh capacity
 2025

Zibo Base, Shandong 

 Energy storage base
 (550mu)
 20GWh capacity (energy storage applications)
 September 2023 (Phase 1)
 semi-solid state and solid state battery cells

On February 25, 2022 WeLion held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new battery factory project in the city of Zibo located in eastern Shandong. The project involves a total investment of  () in a 550mu (36.7ha) facility, resulting in a projected annual capacity of 100 GWh. The first phase of the project involved  () of investment and is be capable of 20 GWh of annual capacity, and was completed in September 2023; it will manufacture semi-solid and solid-state batteries. At the time, WeLion claimed that the facility has the highest safety factor and energy density in China.

Liyang, Jiangsu Base 

 Low-altitude economic power base
 2.53ha
 0.2GWh capacity
 August 2020
Manufactures 320Wh/kg low cost power batteries for use in low-altitude applications, such as drones, robots and portable power supplies, according to WeLion's website.

Huzhou, Zhejiang base 

 Car power base
 4.66 + 33.3ha
 2 + 20GWh capacity
 Q3 2022 + Q4 2025

This facility manufactures semi-solid state power batteries for use in electric vehicles. Construction of this factory in Huzhou, Zhejiang began in 2021, and was completed in Q3 of 2022. On November 22, 2022 WeLion held a ceremony commemorating the production of the first battery cell on the production line at the facility. On June 30, 2023 WeLion held a ceremony at the Huzhou factory for their first delivery of battery cells to Nio. The cells use a semi-solid state electrolyte, and have an energy density of 360Wh/kg, and are used in a 150kWh swappable battery pack made by Nio.

WeLion's R&D center for the Yangtze River Delta region is also located in Huzhou, and its completion was also announced at the ceremony.

Shaoxing, Zhejiang pulp base 

 Solid state materials and solid state battery production base project
 1.5ha
 10,000 tons capacity
 End of 2023 production date

Supplies battery materials for final manufacture at the nearby Huzhou factory.

Shenzhen Pingshan, Guangdong 

 Solid-state battery R&D base
 5742m2
 600MWh capacity
 March 2025

References 

Battery manufacturers
Auto parts suppliers of China
Companies based in Beijing
Chinese companies established in 2016
Electronics companies established in 2016
Chinese brands
Electric vehicle battery manufacturers