Mercedes-Benz and ProLogium, a leader in solid-state batteries, have signed a cooperation agreement to develop next-generation battery cells. The companies also agreed on milestones that would enable integration of the solid-state battery technology into a range of passenger vehicles in the second half of the decade.
The first Mercedes-Benz test vehicles equipped with solid-state batteries co-developed with Taiwan-based ProLogium are expected to be introduced in the coming years.
The investment will be used to support the development of the technology and ProLogium’s plan of establishing production capacity in Europe.
Under the agreement, Mercedes-Benz will take a seat on the ProLogium board of directors.
Founded in 2006, ProLogium is the first battery company in the world to mass-produce solid-state lithium ceramic batteries.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, Chief Technology Officer responsible for Development and Procurement, says: “We believe that range and efficiency are the new industry benchmarks for electric cars. Solid-state technology helps to cut down battery size and weight. This is why we are partnering with companies like ProLogium to ensure that Mercedes-Benz continues to break new ground in the automotive sector – for the benefit of our customers.”
“We have been working with Mercedes-Benz on the testing of our EV battery cells since 2016 and are excited to strengthen and expand our partnership,” adds Vincent Yang, CEO and Founder of ProLogium Technology. “We expect to work with Mercedes-Benz to demonstrate the effective application of our safe, high-performance solid-state battery cells to meet the Mercedes-Benz top quality standards. At ProLogium, we believe that innovative technology must be backed by the scalability of production. We look forward to ramping up our new plant by the end of 2022 and working with our customers toward successful mass production.”
Mercedes-Benz plans to go all electric by 2030 wherever market conditions allow.
