November 22, 2024
Solid-State Revolution: Mercedes-Benz EQS Hits 1,342 km Range in Real-World Test
Mercedes-Benz has taken a bold step forward in the solid-state battery race. In a recent real-world test, an EQS prototype powered by solid-state batteries completed a 1,205 km journey from Stuttgart, Germany, to Malmö, Sweden, with 137 km of range still left. This translates to a total driving range of 1,342 km on a single charge, surpassing the record set by the Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX. This breakthrough not only demonstrates the potential of solid-state batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) but also signals the possibility of reshaping the future of long-range mobility.
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Solid-State Battery Potential: Extending Range Beyond Limits
In the current electric vehicle market, range has always been a key metric for consumers. According to industry statistics, only a handful of currently produced pure electric vehicles have an official range of 1,000 kilometers, and even fewer have reported a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. The 1,205-kilometer range demonstrated by Mercedes-Benz’s solid-state battery test vehicle is undoubtedly a significant breakthrough.
Compared to Mercedes-Benz’s own production models, the official range of the production Mercedes-Benz EQS, equipped with lithium-ion batteries, is approximately 774 kilometers. This means that the replacement of solid-state batteries has directly increased the range by over 70%. This significant improvement fully demonstrates the enormous potential of solid-state batteries in terms of energy density.
It is understood that the solid-state battery pack equipped in this test vehicle has an industry-leading energy density of 450Wh/kg, a 25% (explore energy density of a battery) increase compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. More importantly, while achieving this increased energy density, the battery pack’s weight and volume are essentially comparable to those of production battery packs. This undoubtedly opens up new possibilities for lightweighting and space utilization in electric vehicles.
About Factorial Energy
The success of this long-distance test was inseparable from the technical support of solid-state battery cell supplier Factorial Energy. Factorial Energy is a startup based in Woburn, Massachusetts, specializing in the development and commercialization of solid-state batteries for electric vehicles.
In fact, Mercedes-Benz and Factorial Energy have a long-standing partnership. As early as 2021, the two parties signed a joint development agreement. In 2022, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis Group jointly participated in Factorial Energy’s $200 million financing round. This deep partnership has laid a solid foundation for both parties to jointly advance solid-state battery technology.
In September 2024, Factorial Energy launched the Solstice™ all-solid-state battery, jointly developed with Mercedes-Benz. This battery boasts an energy density of up to 450Wh/kg and utilizes innovative dry cathode technology and Factorial Energy’s leading FEST® (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) electrolyte system. In December of the same year, Factorial Energy announced that its first Solstice™ all-solid-state battery cell had been scaled to a 40Ah capacity, and that a small-scale prototype had achieved over 2,000 cycles.
Notably, Factorial Energy has chosen a gel electrolyte, also known as a semi-solid-state battery (understading semi-solid lithium ion battery), for its solid-state battery technology. Gel electrolytes have significant overlap with current lithium-ion battery processes and are relatively easy to implement. The core of Factorial Energy’s gel electrolyte is a unique electrolyte formula called “FEST.” It is compatible with existing lithium metal and maximizes the use of existing lithium battery production methods, such as cathode slurry coating, eliminating the separator.
The Road to Mass Production: Technical Challenges and Industry Change
Although Mercedes-Benz’s solid-state battery test vehicle has achieved impressive results, this does not mean that solid-state batteries are ready for large-scale production. In fact, the road to mass production of solid-state batteries still faces numerous technical challenges.
Advantages of Solid-State Batteries
The most critical advantages of solid-state batteries over traditional lithium batteries lie in safety and energy density.
- Safety: Solid-state batteries use solid-state electrolytes, replacing the liquid electrolyte and separator in traditional lithium batteries. This not only eliminates the risk of liquid electrolyte leakage but also the short-circuit problem caused by lithium dendrites piercing the separator.
- Energy Density: Due to the greater stability of solid-state electrolytes, they can be compatible with high-energy cathodes and lithium metal anodes, thereby improving the overall energy density of the battery.
Challenges Toward Mass Production
Despite their obvious advantages, solid-state batteries still face numerous technical challenges in mass production. Among them, interface impedance is one of the biggest challenges.
When the electrolyte is completely replaced with a solid electrolyte, it is difficult to maintain long-term stable contact between the solid electrolyte and the electrodes. This results in ionic conductivity that is 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than that of liquid electrolytes. Excessively high interface impedance between the solid electrolyte and the electrodes leads to significant internal resistance in the battery.
Furthermore, the electrodes of solid-state batteries expand and contract during charging and discharging, which can cause electrolyte rupture or separation, further exacerbating these problems.
Three Main Technology Routes For Solid-State Batteries
Currently, there are three main technology routes for solid-state batteries: oxides, sulfides, and polymers. Each has its own advantages, disadvantages, and challenges.
- Sulfide Electrolytes
Sulfide solid electrolytes are powdered and provide better contact with the electrodes. However, the sulfide route faces challenges in production safety and cost. Sulfide solid electrolytes hydrolyze upon contact with air, producing highly toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide. The production process and material costs are exponentially higher than those of other routes.
- Polymer Electrolytes
The polymer route offers relatively low material synthesis and processing challenges and is highly compatible with existing lithium-ion battery production equipment and processes. It is currently the only technology route to have achieved commercialization. However, polymer electrolytes suffer from low room-temperature ionic conductivity, requiring the battery to be heated before each use and requiring cumbersome equipment and accessories.
- Gel Electrolytes
This route, such as that chosen by Factorial Energy, offers relatively low technical difficulty and cost, but its energy density is lower than the other two routes.
When Will Solid-State Batteries Be Mass-Produced?
Despite numerous challenges, the industry remains confident in the future of solid-state batteries. Mercedes-Benz aims to introduce Factorial Energy’s solid-state battery technology into mass production within the next five years, meaning before 2030.
However, the timing of mass production of all-solid-state batteries remains highly uncertain. As Zeng Yuqun of CATL stated, “If we use the numbers 1 to 9 to represent the technological and manufacturing maturity of solid-state batteries, the current industry peak is only around 4, with only a few device samples produced and experimentally verified.”
In addition to technical challenges, another difficulty in mass producing all-solid-state batteries may stem from the industry itself. All-solid-state batteries differ significantly from current liquid lithium batteries or semi-solid-state batteries. For example, they require no electrolyte or separator, and their production processes and equipment are completely different. This means that existing production systems will face a major overhaul, potentially requiring adjustments to everything from raw materials to production equipment and line workers.
Other Key Companies in Solid-State Battery Development
In addition to Mercedes-Benz and Factorial Energy, many other companies are actively developing solid-state batteries.
- Solid Power
BMW is collaborating with Solid Power on all-solid-state battery technology. The company’s core technology for developing solid-state battery technology lies in its electrolyte materials. In addition to BMW, the company also collaborates with Ford, Volta Energy Technologies, and SK Innovation.
- QuantumScape
QuantumScape is a company deeply engaged in solid-state battery research and development, dedicated to developing scalable, high-energy-density solid-state batteries. Volkswagen has invested in QS twice and has become its largest shareholder. In March 2024, PowerCo, a battery subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, completed an endurance test using QuantumScape solid-state batteries. The results demonstrated that solid-state batteries can achieve an exceptionally long lifespan of 500,000 kilometers with virtually no range degradation.
- SES AI Corporation
SES is the only lithium metal battery company to have signed three major joint development agreements with the world’s largest automotive companies: General Motors, Honda, and Hyundai Motor. In 2021, SES AI launched a 107Ah lithium metal battery weighing only 0.982 kg and boasting an energy density of 417Wh/kg and 935Wh/L.
Conclusion
The long range of the Mercedes-Benz solid-state battery test vehicle has undoubtedly given the electric vehicle industry a boost. Although the road to mass production of solid-state batteries remains fraught with challenges, with continuous technological advancements and the gradual improvement of the industry chain, we have reason to believe that solid-state batteries will soon become the core power source for electric vehicles, providing people with a safer, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly travel experience.
Who we are
TYCORUN is a leading company in the battery swap industry, focusing on the research and development and manufacturing of battery swap stations and lithium-ion batteries. We are committed to providing efficient and sustainable energy solutions for electric two-wheeled vehicles such as electric motorcycles, electric tricycles, and electric scooters (explore battery swapping vs charging station).
Willow
Willow is a materials engineer with a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, specializing in lithium-ion battery materials and energy storage technologies.
Her work focuses on EV battery swapping solutions, battery innovation, and new energy industry trends, aiming to translate research insights into practical applications for sustainable transportation.
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