Factorial delivers B-samples of its solid-state cells to Mercedes
According to Factorial Energy, the B samples are solid-state battery cells with a charging capacity of more than 106 Ah, which are now being explicitly passed on to Mercedes-Benz. At the beginning of October 2023 – when the first deliveries of the A samples, a preliminary stage of the current cells, were being discussed – there was still talk of several car manufacturers as recipients. Factorial states that this is “the world’s first announced B-sample delivery of solid-state battery cells to a global automaker,” however, this is not verifiable. Competitor QuantumScape, for example, has A-samples in circulation, but it is not known whether B-samples are also available.
But back to Factorial Energy. The company is a US developer of solid-state battery cells supported by Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Hyundai-Kia, which opened its first development and production facility near Boston in autumn 2023. With a capacity of 200 MWh, this will be the largest production line for solid-state batteries in the USA to date. The funds for the construction of the factory come, among other things, from a USD 200 million financing round concluded at the beginning of 2022, which Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz led at the time.
There are undisclosed development agreements with these two car manufacturers and Hyundai-Kia. With regard to Mercedes, the American company now specifies that “thousands of large-format solid-state batteries and shipped over 1,000 100+Ah solid-state battery cells to Mercedes-Benz as part of the A-sample phase.” The solid-state battery specialist describes the next phase as crucial, as the B samples will be used to validate the module and pack designs against Mercedes-Benz’s own performance specifications.
Factorial is relying on its ‘FEST’ technology (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) with lithium metal anode for the cells, which is said to have the potential to ‘radically reduce the weight of electric vehicles, increase the range, shorten the charging time and improve safety’. For the first time, the company also mentions a specific energy density value in its latest press release: namely 391 Wh/kg – although the developer does not specify whether this is at cell or system level. However, Factorial emphasises that the solid-state batteries can be manufactured on existing lithium-ion battery production systems. Only minimal modifications are required, they say.
“We are thrilled to advance to the B-sample phase and to mark this milestone with a global automotive leader like Mercedes-Benz,” said Siyu Huang, CEO and co-founder of Factorial. “This swift progression from A-sample to B-sample delivery in under a year highlights Factorial’s rapid innovation capabilities and we continue to push the envelope to accelerate the adoption of solid-state batteries in the automotive sector.”
“We are committed to leading in innovative battery technologies, and our partnership with Factorial is a significant part of this strategy,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Chief Technology Officer. “These B-sample batteries give us the opportunity to further validate this next-generation battery technology with the goal of enhancing range and performance, reducing overall vehicle costs, and offering the most desirable electric vehicles to our customers.”
Incidentally, Factorial Energy attracted attention a few weeks ago with the announcement that it intends to work together with South Korea’s LG Chem on new battery materials. On this basis, both sides are also planning to hold talks on the licensing of solid-state battery technologies and material supplies at a later date. In April, the duo announced that the aim was to make progress in the commercialisation of solid-state batteries.
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