Mercedes plans to use solid-state battery technology in city buses

Published: Sep 17, 2020 09:38

Save

SMM: according to reports, Mercedes-Benz said: "generally speaking, vehicles with standard solid-state batteries will not appear until around 2025." But Mercedes-Benz is faster: the new eCitaro G is the first mass-produced city bus of its kind in the world with solid-state batteries. "

It is generally not expected that solid-state battery technology can achieve mass production in a short period of time. Toyota had previously said it would not start producing solid-state battery cars until 2025, and production was limited. Fisker has also delayed plans to use the technology. The development of solid-state battery technology is not plain sailing.

Compared with other manufacturers' solid-state battery technology, Mercedes-Benz's technology seems to be "compromised". When it comes to solid-state batteries, manufacturers have been emphasizing their ultra-fast charging speed (from zero to full in only about 15 minutes) and higher energy density. As for Mercedes' solid-state batteries, they are reflected in higher energy density (25% higher than the company's latest lithium-ion battery technology), but the company says its fast-charging capacity of solid-state batteries is limited.

If you want to buy a bus that can recharge quickly, you should consider Mercedes' lithium battery model, which is not comparable to solid-state batteries in terms of mileage. The company said its solid-state battery pack has a capacity of 441 kWh, while its lithium battery has a capacity of 396kWh. The company did not disclose the mileage of the new solid-state battery model, but it is estimated that the solid-state battery model should have 10% more mileage than the lithium battery model.

Another advantage of solid-state batteries is their longer service life. Mercedes offers a longer warranty for solid-state batteries: 10 years or 280 MWh per pack.

Mercedes claims to be "a technological leader not only in buses, but also in global car manufacturing". But Mercedes has not disclosed plans to use solid-state batteries in its mass-produced cars. In any case, however, solid-state battery technology is beginning to be used in public buses, which is still gratifying news, although the battery capacity is temporarily limited.

Scan the code and apply to join the SMM Metal Industry Exchange Group.

Solid-state batteries buses

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

Jun 5, 2026 14:32

Nissan Begins Solid-State Battery Development, Aims to Reduce Costs with Sulfur-based Materials

According to EV media outlet Electrek on June 4 local time, Nissan is launching a project to develop “Cost-effective, Resilient Solid-state Li-S” batteries together with UK battery company Gelion, Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) and the University of Oxford. The project will run for three years, with a total budget of around GBP 3.4 million, or about USD 4.5 million. Of this, Gelion will receive around GBP 2.4 million, or about USD 3.2 million, in UK government funding. The key focus of the project is the development of solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries using sulfur-based cathode materials.

Jun 5, 2026 14:32

Jun 4, 2026 15:52

Solid-State Battery Weekly Analysis (May 29 – June 4, 2026)

Material Prices: Most solid-state battery materials declined. LPSC dropped 5.5% to RMB 7,280/kg, Li₂S fell 3.8% to RMB 1,530/kg, Li metal and LFP fell 1.7% and 1.4% respectively. Only P₂S₅ rose 2.6%. Oxide electrolytes (LATP, LLZO) were flat.

Jun 4, 2026 15:52

May 31, 2026 12:50

[CATL's Wu Kai: Sodium-ion mass production this year, lithium-air next]

Wu Kai, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief scientist of CATL, said at the 2026 Equipment Power Forum that the company will achieve mass production of a series of sodium-ion battery products this year. Compared with lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries have abundant raw material resources and lower costs. Looking ahead, lithium-air batteries will be CATL's future direction. Wu Kai explained that lithium-air batteries use lithium as the negative electrode and oxygen from the air as the positive electrode reactant, offering ultra-high theoretical energy density and representing the next global battleground for next-generation batteries.

May 31, 2026 12:50