Mercedes tests solid-state batteries on the road

This game-changing technology has just hit the road and it spells bad news for anyone making traditional petrol engines.

New batteries that are safer, faster and lighter than existing tech have hit the road for the first time in a trial led by Mercedes.

Solid-state batteries that eliminate liquid elements have been held up as the “holy grail” of EV development and a “game changer” for the automotive industry.

Mercedes is experimenting with solid-state batteries. Picture: Supplied

Automotive tech expert Sandy Munro went as far as telling Motor Trend in 2023 that solid state batteries will be “the kiss of death for gasoline and diesel”, thanks to faster charging times, longer ranges and superior safety than existing technology allows.

Improved energy density in solid state batteries allows them to deliver better range than equivalent lithium batteries.

Mercedes says its first prototype with solid state batteries, based on the EQS sedan, has around 1000km of range, about 25 per cent more than existing models.

The auto giant claims the new batteries are “safer, lighter, more efficient”, and that its test program required the expertise of its Formula 1 team to introduce the tech into a road-going prototype.

Mercedes is experimenting with solid-state batteries. Picture: Supplied

Benz chief technology officer Markus Schäfer says that “developing an automotive-scale solid-state battery underlines our commitment to innovation and sustainability”.

“We’re therefore excited to announce that we’ve started road testing with a prototype vehicle equipped with this advanced technology.

“We will gain crucial insights into possible series integration of this cutting-edge battery technology.”

Mercedes’ solid state announcement represents an each-way bet, coming a few days after it revealed plans to introduce a next-gen V8 petrol engine.

It worked with US battery cell company Factorial to make the technology work.

Stellantis has announced plans to conduct tests using batteries made by the same group.

Nissan has hinted at using solid state batteries in the next GT-R.

Car companies are racing to introduce the technology, and to get it right. Nissan executive Andy Palmer said on X that “whoever can make a breakthrough on solid-state batteries will have a huge advantage in the race for EV supremacy”.

Tesla has been relatively quiet on the subject, though you can bet it has something up its sleeve.

Honda says it will introduce “game changer” solid state batteries in the second half of the 2020s, while Toyota suggests mass-production of its rival tech will not go into mass production until after 2030.

Solid state batteries are part of Toyota’s plan for the future.

Car News China reports BYD will begin “mass installation” of solid state batteries around 2027, while Autocar reports Nissan will introduce its first model with solid state batteries in 2028, with a research and development executive telling the publication “we think we have something quite special”.

Chery says solid state batteries with 1500km of range are not far off, but rivals such as BMW claim the cost of producing them “makes no sense” and that there is a lot of life left in existing lithium technology.

Originally published as Mercedes tests solid-state batteries on the road