Structural battery composites (SBCs) integrate load-bearing mechanical components and rechargeable energy storage. This means structural battery composites can store energy the same way as traditional lithium-ion batteries, while also being rigid components of the vehicle or building that the battery is powering.1 In contrast, the electrochemical components of a traditional battery system are housed in a container that adds weight without providing any structural benefit. SBCs may include carbon fibre, epoxy resin or other lightweight, high-strength materials and can be 3D printed and optimized for surface area and structural strength to enhance efficiency.2 SBCs have uses in a wide variety of applications, ranging from electric vehicles (EVs) to aerospace technologies. The concept of structural battery composites arose in the past couple of decades from advances in material science, particularly in the fields of composite materials, batteries and electrochemistry.3 The technology is still in the early stages of commercialization but has made significant progress. EVs already use batteries as part of the vehicle’s structure, but SBCs will take that to the next level by enabling body panels of all shapes and sizes to perform both functions. In the future, SBCs could enable all rigid vehicle body panels to similarly store energy. For example, Airbus is experimenting with SBCs for use in aircraft,4 whereas academic research continues to explore new materials and methods to enhance performance. Applications currently being explored include energy-storing vehicle body panels and drone frames, with some potential future applications including aircraft fuselages. As transformative as its potential is, SBC technology has yet to achieve widespread adoption due to technical challenges such as achieving high energy storage density, long-term stability, safety, durability and cost-effectiveness.5 Regulatory hurdles also remain. As structural battery composite materials mature, a new set of safety regulations and standards must be developed before wide- scale adoption is possible. Key milestones include the integration of lightweight materials like carbon fibre with battery technology, creating multilayer composites that can function as both structural components and energy storage units. The impact of SBCs will be substantial. Economically, they promise to cut manufacturing costs by reducing the amount of structural materials, which, in turn, can lower the overall weight of vehicles and aircraft; lighter-weight vehicles require less fuel to operate as well. Environmentally, SBCs could lead to energy-efficient designs that reduce material requirements, and make reuse, repurposing and recycling faster and cheaper, if developed appropriately. Their use in industries including aviation and transport could contribute to more reliable and sustainable operations.Doug Arent Executive Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory Foundation Andrew Maynard Professor, School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University David Parekh Chief Executive Officer, SRI International Figure Icons Develop industry-specific demonstration platforms – Collaborate with key transport manufacturers (automotive, aerospace, marine) to build functional prototypes that quantify weight reduction, range improvement and structural integrity benefits.Ecosystem readiness map Figure Icons Establish specialized manufacturing capacity – Invest in pilot production facilities that combine battery manufacturing expertise with advanced composite fabrication techniques to address the unique production challenges of structural battery components.KEY ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE SCALE TechnologicalSocial Policy Economic Environmental Image: SBCs combine energy storage and structural strength, enabling lighter, multifunctional components for transport and aerospace. Credit: Midjourney and Studio Miko. Prompt (abbreviated): “Golden layered quantum disks refining and filtering organic data into a single light stream.” Read more: For more expert analysis, visit the SBCs transformation map. Authored by: Lief Erik Asp, Björn Johansson and Johanna Xu. Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025 10