- Massachusetts-based Factorial has a new solid-state battery named Solstice.
- Factorial is backed by Mercedes-Benz, which led a $200 million funding round in the company in 2022.
- Mercedes-Benz is already working on bringing these batteries to market by the end of the decade.
Solid-state batteries are considered the next big thing in battery technology. Several automakers are already working with battery companies to develop solid-state cells, hoping to commercialize them in the future to eliminate range anxiety, improve battery safety and increase charging speeds.
One of the automakers investing in the tech is Mercedes-Benz. The German automaker entered a joint development agreement with Massachusetts-based Factorial Energy to develop next-generation batteries in 2021. Mercedes also led a $200 million funding round in 2022 and today Factorial announced a new solid-state battery named Solstice.
Factorial said the new battery has an energy density of 450-watt hours per kilogram. Tesla’s 4680 nickel cobalt manganese cells installed on the Model Y have an estimated energy density of about 272-296 Wh/kg. The American battery start-up said this can potentially extend the range of an EV by 80% while also reducing the weight of the battery pack.
Solid-state batteries basically use a solid electrolyte instead of the liquid or gel electrolytes found in traditional lithium-ion batteries. Key benefits include a higher energy density and far less flammability. Plus, they’re faster charging. But so far, they have proven expensive to produce and no one has really figured out scalability.
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Factorial said this battery uses a proprietary sulfide-based electrolyte that aims to have a high safety rating and operating temperatures of up to 90 degrees Celsius (194F). It also said there’s potential to reduce cooling needs and reduce costs. It also incorporates a “dry coating” process that reduces the environmental impact of producing these batteries.
The announcement states that Mercedes-Benz is already working on integrating these batteries into its future EVs. Factorial would be Mercedes’ second solid-state battery partner after it announced in 2022 that it was investing millions of dollars in Taiwanese solid-state battery maker ProLogium.
With that, the German automaker joins a growing list of brands investing in this tech, including Toyota which is developing solid-state batteries that can deliver over 600 miles of range starting in 2026.
