After years of development, a new class of long-range EV batteries is heading to production to replace Chinese graphite with US silicon-based batteries.
Longer range and faster charging
Powered by new silicon-based electrodes, these batteries hold more energy, are lighter, and charge more quickly. The future release will decrease the charging time to as low as 10 minutes, the standard time taken to refill a gas tank. These batteries could help boost the range of EVs considerably.
Sila Nanotechnologies, a Silicon Valley-based battery materials company announced this month that it has started producing its innovative silicon anode batteries at a factory in Moses Lake, Washington.
The new material is called “Titan Silicon”
The German luxury automaker Mercedes announced a strategic partnership with Sila last year. The Sila anode is set to feature in the all-electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class, expected to be available by 2026.
Lower CO2 footprint vs. graphite
Based on silicon, an abundant element, Titan Silicon generates 50-75% less CO2 per kWh than graphite during production.
Currently, over 90% of graphite is processed in China. Titan Silicon Solutions are manufactured in the U.S. Sila says it will begin mass production in the second half of 2024 and will also manufacture enough batteries to power one million vehicles over the next five years.
