Factorial announces major milestone with its all-solid-state EV batteries for Mercedes-Benz

Factorial is making swift progress on its all-solid-state EV batteries, which were introduced with Mercedes-Benz just a few months ago. Its first all-solid-state EV battery cells, promising to boost energy density by up to 80%, reached a significant milestone.

Factorial announced Thursday that the first Solstice all-solid-state battery cells have been scaled to achieve a 40Ah capacity.

“At 40Ah capacity, our all-solid-state Solstice cells demonstrate the technical maturity, process validation, and scalability required for commercial applications,” Factorial CEO and Co-Founder Dr Siyu Huang said.

The company built the 40Ah Solstice cells at its development center in Massachussets. Using custom equipment, Factorial established an in-house dry cathode coating process.

Factorial said smaller prototypes have already reached over 2,000 cycles during lifecycle testing. The company said its 100% dry cathode can eliminate all hazardous solvents in cathode coating. It also eliminates the need for the formation process, cutting the most energy-intensive processes in lithium-ion battery manufacturing.

“The dry electrode coating process is transforming battery manufacturing, introducing significant benefits – such as improved cell performance, faster lead times, and lower costs,” Factorial’s CTO and Co-Founder, Alex Yu, explained.

Factorial is quickly advancing all-solid-state EV batteries

Factorial is paving the way for the process to be used for larger-sized cells, which “has been a significant challenge for the rest of the market,” Yu said.

With a long cycle life and up to 80% higher energy density, Factorial’s Solstice all-solid-state cells for EV batteries are “poised to give advancements in safety, range, and cost that automakers are looking for,” according to Yu.

Factorial introduced Solstice, which was developed with Mercedes-Benz in September. With a breakthrough energy density of up to 450 Wh/kg, Factorial claims the new battery tech can boost EV range by up to 80%.

The company aims to unlock over 600 miles driving range. Its tech is also a third smaller than traditional Li-ion batteries, enabling 40% weight savings. Solstice is designed to complement Factorial’s FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) platform.

According to Mercedes chief tech officer Markus Shafer, the new tech is a “cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz’s strategy and commitment” to securing a leadership role in the EV battery space.

Shafer added that Solstice will help the luxury brand “set new standards in range, cost, and performance.” According to Oliver Fenzl, Mercedes’ communications manager for drivetrain tech, the company plans to begin testing EVs with solid-state batteries on the road “in a few months. “

Mercedes is confident it will be producing solid-state EV batteries at scale by 2030. Factorial’s all-solid-state EV batteries are expected to launch by the end of the decade.