Factorial, a solid-state battery technology company, has worked with Mercedes-Benz to develop a new all-solid-state battery for electric vehicles (EVs) that the companies say will improve performance and efficiency.

Named Solstice, the battery is expected to achieve an energy density of up to 450Wh/kg and incorporates a novel dry cathode design for more efficient and sustainable production, according to Factorial.

Solstice compliments Factorial’s Factorial Electrolyte System Technology (FEST) for automotive and other electric mobility applications, a news release from the company says.

Solstice can extend EV battery range by up to 80% while significantly reducing vehicle weight and increasing vehicle efficiency, the companies said.

Mercedes Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer told Reuters that Factorial’s solid-state batteries could provide a 40% improvement in energy density over the high-performance batteries the OEM offers today.

The batteries contain a sulfide-based all-solid-state electrolyte system that Factorial says addresses safety concerns associated with more flammable and volatile liquid electrolyte designs and can maintain stability at operating temperatures above 194 degrees Fahrenheit. This has the potential to reduce the cooling system requirements within the battery pack to lower overall vehicle cost, Factorial said.

“Solstice embodies our team’s technology leadership and the potential of solid-state batteries to address the most significant hurdles for electric vehicle adoption,” said Siyu Huang, Factorial CEO and co-founder, in the release. “Solstice not only will enhance the range and performance of electric vehicles but also aligns with our vision for a more sustainable future. We’re grateful to have Mercedes-Benz’s continued support, which underscores our ability to meet the needs of global automakers now and in the future.”

Factorial claims Solstice is “poised to revolutionize battery manufacturing by significantly enhancing sustainability.”

“Through a novel dry coating process, Solstice™ eliminates the need for hazardous solvents and energy-intensive steps commonly used in traditional cathode production,” the release says. “The technology also bypasses the formation process, the most energy-consuming stage of lithium-ion battery manufacturing. By combining these innovations, Solstice reduces operating costs, energy consumption, and environmental impact, paving the way for a more sustainable future for battery production.”

Schäfer said in the release that the Solstice technology represents another landmark milestone in Mercedes’ partnership with Factorial.

“Solstice offers further improvements in energy density and safety features that will help us develop electric vehicles that set new standards in range, cost, and performance,” he said.

Factorial has also delivered B-samples of its solid-state battery cells using its Factorial Electrolyte System Technology (FEST) platform to Mercedes, which it says is an instrumental step in the development and deployment of its solid-state batteries using FEST.

Mercedes-Benz entered into a joint development agreement with Factorial in 2021 and led a $200 million investment for Factorial in 2022, according to the release. Factorial also has joint development agreements with Stellantis, Hyundai Motor Co., and Kia Corp.

Factorial has already developed a quasi-solid-state battery that automakers including Mercedes are testing and should be in EVs on the road in 2026, according to Reuters.

In July, Mercedes-Benz said it had begun strengthening its EV battery technology development by opening a new eCampus at the heart of its headquarters in Germany to serve as the center for the development of cells and batteries for its future EVs.

The goal is to develop innovative chemical compositions and optimized production processes for high-performance cells with “Mercedes-Benz DNA” and reduce battery costs by more than 30% in the coming years, Mercedes said in a news release.

Also in July, Stellantis and research institution, CEA, announced they had teamed up for a five-year collaboration on the in-house design of next-generation battery cells for EVs.

The joint research program includes designing advanced technology cells with higher performance, a longer lifespan, and a lower carbon footprint at competitive costs, which can lead to more affordable and sustainable battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the future, a Stellantis news release states.

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Featured image: Factorial Inc. announced last week its introduction of Solstice, an all-solid-state battery that it says can revolutionize the safety, performance, and sustainability of next-generation electric vehicles. (Credit: Business Wire/Factorial)