Mercedes-Benz will have its solid-state batteries ready before the end of this decade

Solid-state battery technology, which has generated so much expectation in recent years, is increasingly close to becoming a reality in the electric vehicles we will drive day to day. At Mercedes-Benz they have been working for some time to make this happen, with the goal of bringing the first vehicles with this type of battery to market before the end of this decade.

Solid-state batteries promise to transform electric mobility as we know it today, increasing range by up to 25 percent while occupying the same space, since their energy density is considerably higher. This means that, generally speaking, the average electric vehicle today offers a real-world range of 400 km, and that same model with the new solid-state batteries could travel 100 km further on a single charge.

But the advantages of this type of battery don’t stop there. Besides being able to cover more kilometres on each charge, the time lost at the charging point will also be considerably shorter. Not to mention that they are much safer, significantly reducing the possibility of a short circuit that ends up causing a fire.

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which use a liquid electrolyte to transport electrons, solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte. This not only increases energy density, but also improves fire safety and reduces weight, a key factor for the efficiency of electric vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz and Factorial join forces

To take advantage of all these benefits, Mercedes-Benz has been collaborating with the American company Factorial for some time on the development of this technology. The German manufacturer already even has a prototype of its EQS model equipped with solid-state batteries, which it uses to collect data on their performance in real-world conditions.

Mercedes-Benz is not, however, the only German manufacturer developing this technology for its future electric models. BMW is following the same path together with Solid Power, another American company based in Louisville (Colorado) specialising in the development of this type of battery, with the aim of implementing them in electric vehicles in the near future. Likewise, Volkswagen also plans to integrate solid-state batteries into its vehicles of the ID. family, teaming up for this with the American company QuantumScape, specialised in the development of lithium-metal solid-state batteries.

In short, although the path towards mass adoption of these batteries remains a challenge, the progress being made indicates that electric vehicles in the near future will be more efficient, safer, with greater range and faster to recharge.