Mercedes-Benz, Sila makes a breakthrough with high silicone batteries

German luxury brand Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will be working with Sila, a battery equipment company, to incorporate its silicon anode chemistry into batteries that are optionally available for the first time in the upcoming electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class. This will add another innovative cell chemistry to the Mercedes-Benz battery portfolio.

High-silicon anode components will increase battery power density without compromising safety or other performance parameters. Sealer technology enables a 20-40 percent increase in energy concentration above 800 Wh / l at the cell level. This development will enable Mercedes-Benz to store more energy in the same space, thus increasing its range of future vehicles.

Silicon Anode materials will be manufactured using 100 percent renewable energy at Seeler’s new Washington state facility, making Mercedes-Benz the factory’s first universally announced automotive customer. Both companies are aiming for a mid-decade for a range-extended-version of the Electric G-Class to equip it with new battery technology options.

German OEM has invested in Silla in 2019 as part of the company’s research and development of advanced batteries for future electric vehicles.

“We focus on the promise of electric vehicles, long-range power, improved charging time and affordable and electric vehicles capable of delivering the promise of working to reduce battery costs per kilowatt hour. To realize the potential of next generation materials, scale-up is an important part of implementation and we are creating automated quality standards and scales. With our new plant in Washington, we are confident that we will be able to meet the needs of our auto partners, such as Mercedes-Benz, as they transform into a fully-fledged electric future, “said Sila, Jean-Berdytevsky, co-founder and CEO.