Mercedes-Benz and Factorial collaborate on advanced solid-state batteries

Solid-state batteries are expected to increase the driving range and bring improved production capabilities of EVs, and Mercedes-Benz is planning on working with the US battery starter Factorial on this technology by the end of the decade. Unveiled on Tuesday, the new battery, dubbed Solstice aims to increase the battery range of EVs by about 80% over average battery range, with an energy density of 450 Wh/ Kgm.

As a result of their competitiveness compared to liquid and gel electrolytes, solid-state batteries are viewed as the key to driving change in electric vehicles by eliminating fire hazards and allowing for smaller and less expensive models that have greater ranges between charges. However, increasing the scale of production has been difficult for both the vehicle manufacturing giants and battery manufacturers.

Factorial has already moved in that direction with a quasi-solid-state battery, which Mercedes and other auto manufacturers are using. This quasi-solid state technology is expected to be in production vehicles by 2026, which incorporates similar assembly lines to lithium-ion batteries, thus making them faster to scale. Factorial, which has focused on series A/B funding and raised $200 million in 2022, has attracted investment from leading automotive manufacturers such as Stellantis and Hyundai.

The challenges that are associated with the creation of solid-state batteries include; impaired operation at low temperatures and expansion of the battery. Nevertheless, the Mercedes Chief Technology Officer, Markus Schaefer suggested that Factorial’s solid-state batteries could be up to 40% better when it comes to energy density than Mercedes’ high-performance batteries at the moment. This advancement would either allow for miniaturisation of the battery pack – as batteries are the costliest and heaviest part of an EV – or the creation of a car with a range greater than 500 miles using battery-electric vehicles (BEVs).

The lighter batteries would also let Mercedes use steel for EV shells, while it is cheaper and emits less CO2 than high-strength aluminum. Also, Mercedes is working with Taiwanese battery maker ProLogium which it has invested in to further improve battery density through the use of solid-state batteries and high-silicon anodes.

Schaefer reassured that Factorial’s mission to ramp up the Solstice battery production by the end of the decade is feasible even with the current technical limitations.