Mercedes-Benz and Factorial Energy will jointly develop solid-state batteries
Factorial Energy has developed breakthrough solid-state batteries that offer up to 50 percent longer range per charge, increased safety, and cost parity with conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Mercedes-Benz is joining forces with Us-based company Factorial Energy to jointly develop next-generation solid-state batteries with the aim of testing prototype cells as early as next year. The goal of the partnership is to start with the cell and extend development to include entire modules and integration into the vehicle battery.
Mercedes-Benz and the promising solid-state batteries
Speaking of technology, solid-state batteries are based on the use of an electrolyte made of solid material instead of the commonly used liquid electrolyte. The electrolyte is needed to transport ions back and forth between the electrodes when charging and discharging the battery. Solid electrolytes enable a significantly optimized safety of the battery as well as the use of new types of anodes, such as lithium-metal anodes. These offer an almost doubled energy density compared to today’s Li-ion battery cells. As a result, they promise an increase in range while at the same time ensuring short charging times.
Based in Woburn, Massachusetts, Factorial Energy has developed breakthrough solid-state batteries that offer up to 50 percent longer range per charge, increased safety, and cost parity with conventional lithium-ion batteries. The company’s proprietary FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) leverages a solid electrolyte material, which enables safe and reliable cell performance with high capacity cathode and anode materials.
Investment worth a high double-digit million dollar amount
Mercedes-Benz aims to integrate the technology into a limited number of vehicles as part of a small series within the next five years. With its investment, Mercedes-Benz obtains the right to delegate a representative to Factorial’s Board of Directors. «By accelerating our Mercedes-Benz strategy towards ‘Electric Only’, we have set the course for a fully electric future. We will also play a leading role in the field of battery technology. With Factorial as our new partner, we are taking research and development in the field of promising solid-state batteries to the next level. To this end, we are investing a high double-digit million dollar amount in Factorial», said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, as well as responsible for Daimler Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars COO.
«For Factorial Energy, it is a privilege to collaborate with Mercedes-Benz, which basically invented the automobile», relied Siyu Huang, Co-founder and CEO of Factorial. «We look forward to working with them to further innovate the automobile with our clean, efficient and safe solid-state battery technology».
