Mercedes-Benz has announced that the G-Class EV will be offered with with silicon-based electric vehicle (EV) battery technology manufactured by US startup Sila Nanotechnologies from 2025.
According to the German manufacturer, this high silicon anode material will increase the battery’s energy density without compromising safety or other performance parameters. When compared to currently commercially available cells, Sila technology enables a 20-40% increase in energy density reaching over 800 Wh/l at the cellular level.
The sizable upgrade will allow future vehicles to store more energy in the same space, thereby increasing range by a significant amount.
In a statement, Mercedes Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer said that, “At Sila we have a leading partner who will help us power the luxury electric car of the future with highly innovative anode technology.”
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Although there are no specific data yet, the Mercedes G-Class EV with Sila battery technology will be introduced sometime in 2025. The company added that the silicon anode material will be manufactured at its Sila Washington state plant using 100% renewable energy and Mercedes is the first automotive customer to be publicly announced.
Mercedes invested in the Sila company in 2019 as part of their research and development efforts to create advanced batteries for future electric vehicles. That investment will now pay off as the upcoming model will feature a high-tech battery that offers a much longer lifespan than traditional batteries.
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Meanwhile, Sila’s CEO, Gene Berdichevsky said, “We are focused on providing materials that are cost-effective and capable of meeting the needs of electric vehicles, working to ensure a longer energy range, increase charge times, and lower battery cost per kWh.”
