Mercedes-Benz will shift to cheaper but a lot less highly effective batteries to consist of soaring selling prices for some metals in its array of entry-degree styles.
The automaker will use lithium iron phosphate batteries for its subsequent technology of models this sort of as the EQA and EQB from 2024 and 2025, CEO Ola Kallenius claimed in an interview in Atlanta.
The chemistry avoids working with pricier nickel-primarily based batteries that deliver functionality and array in models this kind of as the EQS, the comprehensive-electric powered version of its flagship S-Course.
Kallenius is betting people will acknowledge shorter driving ranges for cheaper designs as prices for critical components increase.
“We think there will be a large amount of city-oriented customers that do not need to have the E63 AMG,” Kallenius said, referring to Mercedes’ performance sedan. “For those entry-degree positions, in the long run, we are seeking at” lithium iron phosphate batteries, he stated..
Mercedes is plowing far more than 40 billion euros ($47 billion) into electrifying its solution selection this ten years. Its options consist of building battery cars on 3 full-electrical vehicle platforms from 2025 and environment up 8 battery factories all over the world with associates.
Most of the car business depends on nickel and cobalt in lithium ion batteries to enhance electric powered automobile functionality. However supplies of both of those components are constrained. Nickel, which can help provide electricity and variety, is also inclined to fireplace, a possibility the marketplace is paying out billions to management.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk reported very last 7 days the automaker is shifting to lithium iron phosphate batteries globally for standard-assortment models. Tesla takes advantage of LFP batteries in China provided by Contemporary Amperex Know-how Co., or CATL, which has delivered procedures to eke out greater overall performance from the components.
CATL also materials the nickel-dependent batteries in the Mercedes EQS. CATL and Mercedes have an agreement that incorporates LFP batteries using CATL’s “mobile-to-pack” engineering, which will save on excess weight and price tag by integrating cells straight into a battery pack.
In between battery joint ventures, extended-expression contracts on raw products, and bets on breakthrough technology, Kallenius said he is assured Mercedes will have enough batteries to ability its new lineup of electric powered automobiles.
“We are protected, sure,” he claimed “But, it really is not the place you can just lean again and say, ‘Well everything’s likely to take care of by itself.’ You have to actively interact and check out to take care of the offer chain as we enter into the age of the electrical car.”
