Mullen has begun road testing its electric van with a new solid-state polymer battery pack, surpassing the expected range of 190 miles in initial real-world tests, the company announced.
The higher energy density of the solid-state battery has been credited for this achievement, increasing from 42 kWh on LFP technology to 72 kWh with SSP chemistry. The latest phase of solid-state polymer battery testing commenced in January with the installation of the battery pack into the Class 1 EV cargo van to assess system compatibility between the vehicle and pack.
Testing has included on-road drive cycles and Dyno testing at an EPA-certified lab in Michigan, with initial results meeting or exceeding all requirements targeted for the first drive cycles for energy usage and the driving range. The range was estimated to increase by over 70%, and the first real-world tests exceeded those projections.
Mullen announced last November that it would be relocating its pilot production facilities from Monrovia to Fullerton in California. The company aimed to start “calibration of the solid-state polymer (SSP) battery BMS for integration into the Class 1 EV cargo van,” with testing to follow in the first quarter of 2024, a timeline that appears to be on track.
See also: Mullen Teases World Debut of Five RS at CES 2024 Amid Production Setbacks
“The first road test has resulted in significant gains in vehicle range,” confirmed David Michery, CEO and chairman of Mullen Automotive. “Additional testing over time will solidify a solid-state solution for our commercial vehicles. The next steps include finalizing our design and manufacturing validation.”
Mullen’s commercial EV lineup includes a Class 1-3 cargo van and cab chassis, as well as Class 4-6 chassis made by Bollinger Motors since its acquisition of the latter in September 2023.
See also: New York Power Authority Adopts Mullen’s Electric Cargo Vans Following Successful Pilot Program
In the same month, Mullen Automotive purchased the battery pack production assets from Romeo Power for approximately $3.5 million, including “equipment, inventory, and intellectual property for high-volume EV (electric vehicle) battery pack and module production.”
