Mercedes Eyes Solid State EV Batteries by 2030 As First Factory Opens - By Emily Dreibelbis January 25, 2024

[Henry]

Taiwan-based ProLogium says its new facility will be the first to commercialize the high-range, fast-charging batteries this year, with partners like Mercedes bringing them to market by 2030.

The first mass production facility for commercial solid-state EV batteries has opened in Taiwan.

The company behind it, ProLogium, has been working on the tech—which promises to improve vehicle range, decrease charging times, and eliminate risk of battery fires—since 2006, and has "overcome the bottlenecks in traditional batteries [to manifest] a new universe for the battery industry," says founder and CEO Vincent Yang.

ProLogium teamed up with Mercedes-Benz in 2022 to co-develop energy-dense battery cells that can "almost double the range of today’s conventional Li-ion battery cells," a Mercedes spokesperson tells PCMag.

Mercedes is also working with Boston-based Factorial. Between the two endeavors, Mercedes says it expects the next-gen packs to go into production for passenger vehicles by 2030.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/mercedes-eyes-solid-state-ev-batteries-by-2030-as-first-factory-opens

 

[Elise]

How does the technology of solid-state EV batteries compare to the technology used in the current EV batteries? Or how do these batteries differ?

 

[Henry]

How does the technology of solid-state EV batteries compare to the technology used in the current EV batteries? Or how do these batteries differ?

From Google

Solid-state EV batteries differ from current EV batteries in their technology and composition. While traditional EV batteries, often lithium-ion, use liquid electrolytes, solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes. This design change offers several potential advantages:

1. Solid-state batteries are considered safer as they are less prone to overheating and thermal runaway. This enhances overall battery safety.
2. Solid-state batteries have the potential for higher energy density, meaning they can store more energy in the same amount of space. This could result in increased driving range for electric vehicles.
3. Solid-state batteries may support faster charging times compared to traditional batteries, leading to quicker refueling for electric vehicles.
4. Solid-state batteries might have a longer lifespan and better durability, contributing to reduced maintenance needs over time.

 

[Juan Cruz]

Last year, it was reported that BMW is working hard on solid-state batteries for future electric cars. However, these advanced batteries probably won't be ready until after 2030, despite their best efforts.

 

[FSmith]

It would be really great when they can go solid state so the cars could be lighter, and possibly the batteries would get where they were not so expensive to replace.

 

[Henry]

Also, solid-state batteries are safer because they use solid electrolytes, which don't catch fire. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries contain a liquid that can cause fires.