Mercedes-Benz begins road testing of solid-state batteries for electric vehicles that could increase range by 25%

Mercedes-Benz has begun road testing its solid-state battery technology. This is an important step towards creating safer, lighter, and more capacious batteries for electric vehicles. According to the company, the new batteries can increase the range by 25%.

A modified EQS with a claimed range of 1,000 kilometers is used for testing. The development is being carried out in cooperation with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) and Factorial Energy, a US company specializing in solid-state batteries. This partnership combines the engineering achievements of production cars and Formula 1, which facilitates the transfer of technologies from motorsport to everyday use.

The main difference between solid-state batteries and traditional lithium-ion batteries is that they use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one. This improves safety, reduces battery weight, and allows for the use of new materials, including lithium metal in the anode. Mercedes-Benz has patented a special cell design that compensates for changes in cell volume during charging and discharging.

Solid-state batteries are capable of achieving energy densities of up to 450 Wh/kg, which provides a significant increase in range without increasing the size or weight of the battery. The EQS test vehicle is expected to travel more than 1,000 kilometers without recharging.

Mercedes-Benz and Factorial Energy have been cooperating since 2021. As part of this project, Factorial supplied samples of its solid-state lithium batteries to the automaker for the first time. HPP engineers helped adapt the system for a production electric vehicle.

The road tests will provide Mercedes-Benz with critical data on the efficiency and durability of the new batteries. The results will help determine whether this technology can be integrated into future production models.