Mercedes-Benz is Sila’s partner for the future electric G-Class

Mercedes-Benz has announced its partnership with Sila, a next-generation rechargeable battery company, to use Sila’s silicon anode chemistry in batteries as an option in the future electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Mercedes-Benz previously invested in Sila in 2019 as part of the company’s research and development of advanced batteries for future electric vehicles of the German luxury car manufacturer.

Sila technology claims to increase energy density by 20-40 percent, reaching more than 800 Wt / L at the cellular level compared to commercially available cells in a comparable format. Thanks to this serious development, Mercedes-Benz seeks to store much more energy in a smaller area, thus increasing the range and allowing future vehicles to move on on a single charge.

Sila plans to produce advanced silicon anode materials using 100% renewable energy at its new plant in Washington, DC, making Mercedes-Benz Sila the first publicly announced automotive customer. An expanded version of the electric G-Class, equipped with new battery technology, is scheduled for the middle of the decade by both companies.

Marcus Schaefer, Member of the Board of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer responsible for Development and Procurement, said: “Providing such high energy density really changes the game and allows us to think in completely new directions when developing future electric vehicles. Our partnership with Sila is another important step on our way to creating the most coveted luxury electric cars. ”

Commenting on the strategic partnership, Gene Berdichevsky, co-founder and CEO, Sila added: “To realize the potential of next-generation materials, expansion is a key part of performance, and we have focused on quality standards and automotive scales since our inception. With our new plant in Washington, we guarantee that we will be able to meet the demands of our automakers, such as Mercedes-Benz, as they move into a fully electric future. ”

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