Mercedes-Benz is doubling down on solid-state EV batteries with ultra-long vary and quick charging capabilities for its next-gen automobiles. With two companions accelerating growth, Mercedes is on observe to start testing EVs with solid-state batteries in only a few months.
After Mercedes and Factorial launched their newest breakthrough, the Solstice all-solid-state EV battery, this week, the corporate mentioned it’s on observe to hit the market by 2030.
Factorial mentioned the brand new tech will enhance EV vary by as much as 80% with a “breakthrough” power density of 450 Wh/kg. It’s additionally 33% smaller than present tech for even increased effectivity.
The US-based firm goals to supply over 600 miles of driving vary (in comparison with present Li-ion batteries) with a 40% weight discount.
With a safer design, the brand new batteries additionally don’t require heavy cooling methods, which is able to assist minimize prices additional.
Mercedes led Factorial’s 2022 funding spherical, which additionally included rivals Hyundai and Stellantis. In response to chief tech officer Markus Shaefer, the brand new batteries are a “cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz’s technique and dedication” to main EV battery growth.
Shaefer defined the brand new all-solid-state EV batteries will “set new requirements in vary, value, and efficiency.”
Though not due out till the tip of the last decade, Mercedes plans to get EVs with solid-state batteries on the highway for testing a lot sooner.
Mercedes to start testing EVs with solid-state batteries
The announcement comes after Factorial delivered B-sample solid-state battery cells to Mercedes this summer season utilizing its FEST platform.
Mercedes can also be working with Prologium, which opened “the world’s first giga-level solid-state lithium ceramic battery manufacturing facility” in Taiwan earlier this yr.
Prologium mentioned it has “efficiently overcome” the challenges with mass-producing solid-state EV batteries. The corporate claims it might manufacture solid-state batteries on the identical value as mainstream batteries.
With two companions, Mercedes is assured in producing solid-state EV batteries at scale by 2030.
In the meantime, the corporate is getting ready to start testing the brand new batteries on the streets. In response to Oliver Fenzl, Mercedes’ communications supervisor for drivetrain tech, it could possibly be only a few months away.
Fenzl mentioned, “Along with Prologium and Factorial, Mercedes-Benz develops the solid-state expertise additional and integrates its Mercedes-Benz DNA on a cell stage.” He added, “We’ll see the expertise on the highway for testing already in just a few months.”
The breakthrough comes as a number of rivals, together with Toyota, are advancing solid-state EV batteries. Toyota’s plans to develop and produce all-solid-state EV batteries gained approval from Japan’s Ministry of Commerce and Business this week.
Toyota additionally plans to start producing all-solid-state EV batteries by 2030. The approval comes as Japan goals to safe a home provide chain to scale back its reliance on China and South Korea.
