Mercedes-Benz has successfully developed a solid-state battery prototype, potentially revolutionizing EV range and performance. Engineers from Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) and the Mercedes Benz Center of Competence for Battery Systems have collaborated to create an innovative battery system that promises significant advancements in electric mobility.
The prototype battery was integrated into a modified EQS electric vehicle at the end of 2024. Initial laboratory tests conducted in Stuttgart paved the way for road tests that commenced in February 2025.
Solid-state batteries represent a promising technological leap, utilizing a solid electrolyte instead of traditional liquid alternatives. This approach enhances cell safety and enables the use of advanced anodes like lithium metal, substantially improving performance compared to conventional lithium-ion cells.
The new battery technology offers improvements in energy density, potentially increasing gravimetric energy density up to 450 Wh/kg at the cell level. This advancement translates to practical benefits for EVs, including extended driving range and reduced battery weight.
Mercedes-Benz’s development vehicle, equipped with the solid-state battery, is expected to achieve over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) of range – quite an improvement over current EV capabilities. By comparison, the existing EQS 450+ model already offers a range of more than 800 kilometers with its 118 kWh battery.
The collaboration began in 2021 when Mercedes-Benz partnered with Factorial to develop next-generation battery technology. In summer 2024, Factorial delivered lithium-metal solid-state battery cells using their proprietary FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) platform – the first such shipment to a global OEM.
This demonstrates the potential of transferring high-performance technologies from competitive racing environments, like Formula 1, into practical automotive applications.
