Mercedes-Benz and Sila reveal new energy-dense batteries for extended-range G-Class EV
Mercedes-Benz has announced that it is working with Sila on new silicon anode chemistry. The company will use the technology for an optional battery in an extended-range version of its electric G-Class.
The technology has a high energy density of 800 Wh/l at cell level, which Mercedes-Benz claims is industry-leading. The company also stated that this density was 20-40% greater when compared to equivalent commercially available cells.
The high-silicon anode material will allow Mercedes-Benz to significantly increase the maximum travelling range of its batteries without taking up more space in the car. The materials for the batteries will be produced using 100% renewable energy at its Washington state factory.
Sila is expected to make enough silicon anode material to power 100,000 to 500,000 vehicles, depending on the cell design. In the first wave of production, the company expects to manufacture 10 GWh of battery material each year, increasing to 150 GWh in a secondary phase.
The new batteries are expected to be used in vehicles from 2025. It is unclear exactly what the extended range of the new G-Class would be; fans speculate that the basic version of the car would have around 420 km (~261 miles) of range.
Mercedes-Benz first invested in Sila in 2019, and the company’s materials are already in use elsewhere; for example, the Whoop 4.0 fitness tracker uses a Sila battery.
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