Upcoming electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class to employ higher-capacity batteries

MANILA: Mercedes-Benz takes another major step in building the world's most desirable electric cars.

The inventor of the automobile announced that it will work with Sila, a next-generation battery materials company, to incorporate Sila's silicon anode chemistry in batteries which are optionally available for the first time in the upcoming electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class. This will add another innovative cell chemistry to the Mercedes-Benz battery portfolio.

Sila's innovative high-silicon anode material will increase the energy density of batteries without compromising safety or other performance parameters. Compared to today's commercially available cells with a comparable format, Sila's technology enables a 20 to 40% increase in energy density reaching more than 800Wh/l at cell level. This major development enables Mercedes-Benz to store more energy within the same space, thus increasing range of its future vehicles by a significant amount.

The advanced silicon anode materials will be manufactured using 100% renewable energy in Sila's new Washington state facility, making Mercedes-Benz the factory's first publicly announced automotive customer. Both companies are targeting mid-decade for a range-extended-version of the electric G-Class to be equipped with the new battery technology option.

Mercedes-Benz invested in Sila in 2019 as part of the company's research and development of advanced batteries for the automaker's future electric vehicles. The supply agreement is the natural next step for the partnership and marks another important milestone in Mercedes-Benz' ambition to become the leading manufacturer of electric vehicles. 

Photos from Mercedes-Benz

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