Benz launches its first car equipped with solid-state batteries, capable of traveling 1,205 kilometers on a full charge

[PCauto] Recently, the real-world performance of the Mercedes-Benz EQS equipped with solid-state batteries has attracted widespread attention.

A modified EQS test vehicle completed a 1,205 km journey from Stuttgart, Germany, to Malmö, Sweden, without any recharging, reaching the destination with a remaining range of 137 km.

This result represents a 73.38% increase compared to the 774 km range of the standard lithium-ion battery EQS.

This was an actual driving test, not laboratory data

The test route crossed Germany and Denmark to Malmö, Sweden, via the A7 and E20 highways, using the Electric Intelligence system to calculate the optimal path, factoring in terrain, traffic, environmental temperature, and thermal energy consumption.

Mercedes-Benz Group Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer stated that solid-state battery technology is a true game-changer for electric mobility. This successful validation demonstrates that the technology performs reliably not only in laboratory settings but also in real-world driving conditions.

The company plans to mass-produce this technology before 2030, providing consumers with products offering higher range and comfort.

The weight and dimensions of the test vehicle's battery pack are comparable to the standard EQS battery, but with higher energy density

The test vehicle uses lithium metal cells provided by U.S.-based Factorial Energy, with the battery system developed by Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP). The energy density reaches 450Wh/kg, a 25% increase compared to traditional lithium batteries.

The solid-state battery system adopts Factorial Electrolyte System Technology (FEST) and features pneumatic actuators to address volume changes during cell charging and discharging, ensuring long-term stable operation of the battery.

The battery pack's weight and size are comparable to the standard EQS battery, but usable energy is increased by 25%, and energy efficiency is optimized through a passive airflow cooling system.

Compared to current models on the market that use semi-solid-state battery technology, such as the NIO ET7 and IM L6, the EQS's full solid-state solution demonstrates significant advantages in energy density and safety performance.

The core advantage of solid-state batteries lies in their non-flammable solid electrolyte, fundamentally addressing the fire risk of liquid batteries.

Industry test data shows that sulfide-based solid-state batteries can charge to 80% capacity within 12 minutes, and maintain 80% capacity even after more than 800 cycles in laboratory testing.

Solid-state batteries have become a shared direction of effort for global automakers

The advantages of solid-state batteries, such as high energy density, safety, and fast charging speeds, make them the mainstream direction for next-generation battery technology.

Currently, global automakers are accelerating their efforts in the solid-state battery field. BYD plans to achieve small-scale vehicle integration by 2027, CATL's sulfide-based battery has already reached an energy density of 500Wh/kg, with small-batch production expected by 2027, and Volkswagen has chosen to test this technology on Ducati electric motorcycles.

As the inventor of the automobile, Benz has once again created a leading edge in the automotive field

Despite their promising prospects, mass production of solid-state batteries still faces significant challenges. The current cost of full solid-state batteries is three times that of liquid batteries, the yield rate is below 75%, and the production process requires high-precision isostatic pressing equipment, with a single production line costing 2-3 times more than traditional lines.

Therefore, it is still difficult for solid-state batteries to achieve large-scale mass production at present, and Benz EQS has taken the lead in achieving real vehicle testing. This breakthrough is of great significance. Breaking through the 1000-kilometer range accelerates the process of replacing fuel vehicles.