Mercedes-Benz testing first ever solid-state battery EV with insane range inspired by F1

If Mercedes-Benz has its way, you’ll go over 600 miles on a charge.

Mar 10, 2025 - 01:24

Mercedes-Benz testing first ever solid-state battery EV with insane range inspired by F1

Mercedes-Benz has begun testing an EQS with lithium-metal solid-state battery technology, a first-of-its-kind vehicle for the automotive sector. The battery is being developed by Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP), a subsidiary within Mercedes-Benz that develops Formula 1 tech for the company, and the Mercedes-Benz Center of Competence for Battery Systems.

HPP not only develops “industry-leading” F1 tech, but the automaker also says its subsidiary can evolve cutting-edge F1 technology for use in Mercedes-Benz projects often intended for consumer vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz EQS solid-state battery prototype
Mercedes-Benz

What Mercedes-Benz is doing

Like all automakers focusing on electrification, Mercedes-Benz is trying to meet customer demand, which has evolved to encompass a longer range and faster charging. As people buy EVs, they recognize that some of the creature comforts of ICE vehicles have been compromised.

According to Mercedes-Benz, its solid-state battery EQS is capable of 25 percent more range with a battery the same size and weight as the current generation EQS. Passive cooling decreases weight and increases efficiency, it claims, helping to achieve the holy grail of a 1,000-kilometer EV (620 miles). The current EQS has a range of 800 kilometers (497 miles).

Mercedes-Benz's solid state battery
Mercedes-Benz

What is a solid-state battery?

Batteries are composed of three parts: the anode (negative), cathode (positive), and electrolyte (the middle part). Charged ions travel from the cathode to the anode through the electrolyte, creating power.

Traditional batteries have a liquid or polymer electrolyte, which makes them combustible and explosive. A solid-state battery uses a solid electrolyte made of abundant components.

Solid-state batteries can charge faster, are less prone to catching fire, and offer more power because they are denser.

How Mercedes-Benz is implementing solid-state battery technology

The core issue with solid-state batteries is the manufacturing process. Crafting them at scale has proven difficult, so solid-state batteries aren’t already in devices you carry daily.

For its solid-state EQS, Mercedes-Benz implemented a battery with a lithium metal anode, which it says has “next-level” energy density. It claims this solid-state battery has the potential to increase battery density to 450 watt-hours per kilogram in battery cells, which helped Mercedes-Benz dramatically increase range without adding weight or battery volume.

Final thoughts

Many have wanted solid-state batteries in EVs for years. Mercedes-Benz's prototype explains why: it has a longer range, quick charging, low weight, and is less combustible.

Manufacturing solid-state batteries remains tricky in its nascency. For its prototype, Mercedes-Benz partnered with Factorial to manufacture the battery to its specifications. This test of its solid-state EQS is proof of concept that solid-state works.

We don’t know what manufacturing solid-state batteries involves at scale or how expensive they would be if widely implemented in the auto industry. The fact that your iPhone doesn’t already have them is telling.

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