Over the past few years, the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and battery company Factorial has finally shown progress in development. active solid state battery technology of EVs.
Factorial on Tuesday announced that its solid battery Solstice developed in collaboration with Mercedes can improve EV range up to 80% by using high energy density. This allows for greater energy storage within a given volume, making for smaller battery packs that reduce vehicle weight and increase efficiency, notes Factorial.
Solid state cells
The range increase is even greater than the 50% Factorial discussed at launch to provide test cells of car makers in 2022. The following year, Massachusetts-based Factorial opened what it billed as the US's largest EV battery factory in suburban Boston. Factorial said at the time that the $50 million facility would eventually produce up to 200 megawatt-hours of batteries on its assembly line.
The solstice cell's sulfide-based solid electrolyte can remain stable at temperatures above 194 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing system cooling requirements, according to Factorial. Like other solid-state battery companies, Factorial also claims a lower fire risk compared to liquid electrolytes.
Factorial Energy 40-amp-hour solid state battery
Mercedes made a battery development agreement with Factorial in 2021 and led the partnership Funding of 200 million dollars of the company associated with Stellantis completed in 2022 (Hyundai also invested in Factorial).
Some automakers are also funding solid-state battery technology, either through in-house development programs or partnerships with startups. Volkswagen has long supported QuantumScape, while Nissan and Toyota are building strong cells in-house. Toyota recently confirmed plans to start to produce solid state cells by 2026 as it attempts a tenfold improvement in EV production.