- The new cells remain stable at operating temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Celsius.
- Mercedes-Benz spearheaded a $200 million investment round in Factorial during 2022.
- These lightweight cells could let Mercedes swap costly aluminum bodies for cheaper steel.
Factorial, in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, has developed a new generation of solid-state batteries that promise to boost an EV’s range by as much as 80 percent.
These batteries, developed by U.S.-based Factorial—a partner of Mercedes-Benz since 2021—boast an energy density of 450Wh/kg and feature a cutting-edge dry cathode design aimed at enhancing efficiency and sustainability in production. Factorial is confident that this advanced solid-state technology will be ready for OEM integration before the decade closes, setting the stage for significant advancements in electric vehicle performance.
Read: Mercedes-AMG’s Taycan Killer Could Look Like This
In addition to boosting an EV’s range by up to 80%, Factorial says its new solid-state cells can significantly reduce weight and increase vehicle efficiency. It also claims the sulfide-based all-solid-state electrolyte system “addresses safety concerns associated with more flammable and volatile liquid electrolyte designs.” The new cells maintain stability at operating temperatures over 90 degrees Celsius and could reduce the requirements of cooling systems with the battery pack.
Speaking with Reuters, Mercedes chief technology officer Markus Schaefer said the solid-state batteries could provide a 40% improvement in energy density over its current flagship cells. He noted the use of lighter batteries could allow the carmaker to use cheaper steel bodies for EVs, rather than aluminum.
“The Solstice solid-state battery technology represents another landmark milestone in our partnership with Factorial, which is a cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz’s strategy and commitment to leading the charge in battery development,” Schafer added. “Solstice offers further improvements in energy density and safety features that will help us develop electric vehicles that set new standards in range, cost, and performance.”
As mentioned, Mercedes-Benz entered into a joint development agreement with Factorial in 2021. It also led a $200 million investment bound for the battery firm in 2022 and recently received the first B-samples of Factorial’s solid-state battery cells.
