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Mercedes-Benz, along with its very clever colleagues at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP), has decided that the future is, in fact, solid. And by that, I mean solid-state batteries. The German powerhouse has taken a slightly modified ‘100km’ EQS test car and packed it with this futuristic battery technology, which is being hailed as the next big step in EV development.
Now, if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that solid-state batteries have been whispered about for some time. Promising higher energy density, lower weight, and longer range, these little power units could be the thing that finally persuades people that electric cars aren’t just posh golf carts with a bit of branding. Several manufacturers are scrambling to be the first to bring them to the masses, and Mercedes clearly fancies its chances.
The Science Bit
Mercedes-AMG HPP, which spends most of its time making extremely fast things go even faster, has been working with the brand’s Stuttgart-based battery engineers to develop and patent what they call ‘a new and innovative solid-state battery pack.’ That all sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Markus Schäfer, a board member with an eye for the future, has declared that this project is a sign of Mercedes’ commitment to innovation and sustainability. Which, I suppose, is what you say when you’ve just built something that could completely change the game.
Using lithium metal solid-state batteries from the American outfit Factorial Energy, the EQS test car first went through a series of rigorous lab tests in late 2024. But now, it’s out on the road for the first time. The big news? The new battery offers up to 25 per cent more range when compared to a similarly sized unit in the standard EQS. That means a potential range of 1000km (or 620 miles, in real money) compared to the existing EQS 450+, which claims a maximum of 800km (497 miles). Add in some clever battery cooling, and it seems Mercedes is onto something rather promising.
The Internal Combustion Elephant in the Room
Of course, this doesn’t mean Mercedes is abandoning its traditional roots. Quite the opposite. At its recent Capital Market Day, the company confirmed that it remains committed to offering customers a choice—whether that’s a BEV, a hybrid, or an electrified combustion engine. In other words, those of us who still enjoy the reassuring burble of internal combustion needn’t panic just yet.
In fact, there’s good news for enthusiasts. From 2026 onwards, AMG will be rolling out a heavily refreshed lineup, including a next-generation, high-tech, electrified V8. Yes, you read that correctly—a V8. Not some anaemic four-cylinder pretending to be something it’s not. There’s even talk that in some markets, a V12 might still be an option, which is really quite splendid.
What It All Means
So, where does this leave us? Well, Mercedes is taking a sensible approach. Solid-state batteries are being tested, refined, and slowly integrated into real-world vehicles, rather than being rushed into production in a bid to be ‘first.’ At the same time, the company recognises that not everyone is ready to embrace the silent whirr of electric motors. It’s a pragmatic, logical, and ultimately very German approach. And as someone who appreciates both the old and the new, I rather like it.
