Mercedes buys into solid-state batteries with ProLogium
Mercedes-Benz has invested a high double-digit million euro amount in the solid-state battery cell manufacturer ProLogium and agreed to jointly develop next-generation battery cells with the Taiwanese company. For Mercedes, it is not the first deal in solid-state batteries.
The first jointly developed solid-state batteries could already be used in Mercedes-Benz test vehicles in the coming years, according to the Stuttgart-based carmaker. In the second half of the decade, the solid-state batteries are to be integrated “in selected models”. However, Mercedes does not specify which model series and scopes are involved.
“We believe that range and efficiency are the new industry benchmarks for electric cars,” says Daimler board member Markus Schäfer. “Solid-state technology helps to cut down battery size and weight.” In the statement, Mercedes credits the “innovative materials and design” of solid-state batteries with the potential to “almost double the range of today’s conventional Li-ion battery cells.”.
“We have been working with Mercedes-Benz on the testing of our EV battery cells since 2016 and are excited to strengthen and expand our partnership,” said Vincent Yang, CEO and founder of ProLogium Technology. “We expect to work with Mercedes-Benz to demonstrate the effective application of our safe, high-performance solid-state battery cells to meet the Mercedes-Benz top quality standards.”
As part of the development partnership, Mercedes-Benz will take a seat on the ProLogium Board of Directors. Through the equity investment, Mercedes-Benz says it is strengthening the further development of battery technology as well as the partner’s planned build-up of production capacities in Europe. ProLogium concluded a financing round in October 2021 and already declared at that time that it wanted to expand its production capacities in Asia, Europe and the USA between 2023 and 2025. Mercedes-Benz, in turn, is known to be planning to build eight gigafactories for cell production together with partners.
Last December, Mercedes-Benz had already invested in the US developer of solid-state battery cells Factorial Energy and concluded a development cooperation. The new partner ProLogium, on the other hand, is also working with VinFast.
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