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Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) have collaborated to launch road tests of a groundbreaking solid-state battery in a modified EQS, promising 25% longer range, enhanced safety, and greater efficiency. This innovative project integrates cutting-edge Formula 1 technology with electric mobility, showcasing the power of cross-industry collaboration.
The solid-state battery, developed with cells from Factorial Energy, offers higher energy density, reduced weight, and improved cell safety. Road tests began in February 2025, marking a significant milestone as the first lithium-metal solid-state battery powers a production vehicle on public roads.
Key Highlights:
- 25% increased range compared to conventional EQS batteries, exceeding 1,000 km (620 miles).
- Developed using Formula 1 technology from Mercedes AMG HPP.
- Integration of Factorial Energy’s FEST® solid-state platforms.
- Enhanced safety through a solid electrolyte and pneumatic actuators to manage cell expansion.
- Passive cooling system further improves energy efficiency and reduces battery weight.
- Collaboration with Factorial Energy since 2021 to advance solid-state battery tech.
The new battery leverages a solid electrolyte instead of liquid, allowing for lithium-metal anodes that boost energy density up to 450 Wh/kg at the cell level. This translates to longer driving ranges without adding weight, a crucial step toward making electric vehicles (EVs) more efficient and practical.
Markus Schäfer, CTO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, emphasized, “Developing an automotive-scale solid-state battery underlines our commitment to innovation and sustainability. We’re excited to announce that we’ve started road testing with a prototype vehicle equipped with this advanced technology.”
Factorial Energy’s CEO, Siyu Huang, added, “Being the first to successfully integrate lithium metal solid-state batteries into a production vehicle platform marks a historic achievement in electric mobility. Our collaboration with Mercedes-Benz proves that the future of electric vehicles is not just a vision, but a reality we’re delivering today.”
The test vehicle, a modified EQS, features an innovative floating cell carrier that compensates for material expansion during charging and discharging, extending battery lifespan and maintaining performance. With passive cooling and an optimized design, the EQS prototype offers a glimpse into the future of electric mobility.
Over the coming months, Mercedes-Benz will conduct extensive laboratory and road tests to evaluate the battery’s performance, safety, and integration potential in future production models. This partnership highlights the growing synergy between high-performance motorsport engineering and the evolution of sustainable electric vehicles.
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