Mercedes-Benz partner with Hydro-Québec for solid-state battery development

Feb 5, 2020 03:48 PM ET
  • The high-end car maker is banking on the prompt advancement of market-ready solid-state batteries. Mercedes will work with the Canadian research study institute to rapidly incorporate new innovation into field applications to cut development cycle times.
Mercedes-Benz partner with Hydro-Québec for solid-state battery development
Image: CNW Group/Hydro-Québec

Carmaker Mercedes Benz has actually coordinated with Canadian battery product specialist Hydro-Qu ébec to establish solid-state batteries. The German company will utilize the batteries in its electric automobiles.

Hydro-Qu ébec’& rsquo; s Center of Quality in Transportation Electrification and Energy Storage has actually been leading research on innovative battery materials and brand-new battery technologies, including solid-state gadgets.

Now, in tandem with the German carmaker, the scientists wish to evaluate brand-new product under field conditions. The partner business believe an early-stage, real-world combination and trial stage of testing will speed up the development cycle. Joint research study activities will be carried out at Hydro-Qu ébec’& rsquo; s center of excellence in Canada and at the SCE France laboratory belonging to an Hydro-Qu ébec subsidiary.

Solid-state advantages

“& ldquo; The battery is a key element of our electric lorries,” & rdquo; said Jochen Hermann, VP for eDrive development at Mercedes. “& ldquo; Mastering their chemistry is, for that reason, a focal topic for Mercedes-Benz research and advancement. Solid-state batteries are expected to be a next essential innovation leap for e-mobility, indicating an alternative to today’& rsquo; s li-ion [lithium-ion] battery systems. The current improvements Hydro-Qu ébec researchers have made are really promising and we are eagerly anticipating the very first results of our joint development program.”

& rdquo; Hopes are high for solid-state batteries to make an industrial breakthrough. Using possibly higher energy density of more than 400 Wh/liter, more cycles at a decreased rate of deterioration and less weight, development is being mainly driven by vehicle companies. Solid-state batteries do not need the flammable electrolytes utilized in traditional lithium-ion batteries and could be far cheaper as they do not utilize cobalt.

However, market-ready gadgets have not emerged yet. Chinese battery giant Ganfeng –-- which holds a supply agreement with Volkswagen –-- in August announced prepare for a 100 MWh solid-state battery pilot assembly line.

Hydro-Qu ébec can boast 2019 patents associated to a brand-new electrolyte for lithium-ion solid-state batteries established by the University of Porto’& rsquo; s Maria Helena Braga and 2019 Nobel chemistry laureate John B Goodenough. The Canadian institution stated it will integrate the electrolyte into industrial solid-state batteries.

“& ldquo; The collaboration with Hydro-Quebec has supplied the critical technology development required for commercial production of copyright produced at The University of Texas at Austin,” & rdquo; stated Goodenough.


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