Peter Lyon
September 10, 2025
Mercedes-Benz has just set a new record for electric mobility with an extraordinary demonstration drive, showcasing the potential and everyday usability of a future battery technology.
Fitted with a lithium-metal solid-state battery, a lightly modified EQS test vehicle was used for the journey. At the end of August, the vehicle completed the 1,205-kilometer trip from Stuttgart in Germany to Malmö in Sweden. Remarkably, it did so without a single stop to charge. This real-world achievement proves that the technology performs not only in the lab but also on the road. The EQS surpassed the previous record set by the Vision EQXX on its Stuttgart–Silverstone route by three kilometres (Link Media Site). And it arrived in Malmö with 137km of range remaining, too. This combination of long range, efficiency, and technological maturity marks a milestone for solid-state battery development and highlights its potential for future production vehicles.
Real-world validation
Following the announcement of road testing in February (Link Media Site), the drive from Stuttgart in Germany to Malmö in Sweden was part of a comprehensive validation program for solid-state battery technology at Mercedes-Benz. In addition to digital simulations and testing at state-of-the-art facilities in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim and Sindelfingen, the vehicle and battery are being tested under real-world conditions on public roads. The goal is to assess overall vehicle performance across different climate zones and route profiles and accelerate the path to series production. The recent trip to Malmö adds a real long-distance scenario to this testing program.
The route followed highways A7 and E20 through Germany and Denmark to Malmö, Sweden. The optimal route was calculated using Electric Intelligence, factoring in topography (that means steep uphill and downhill inclines), traffic, ambient temperature, and energy needs for heating and cooling — without using ferries.
“The solid-state battery is a true game-changer for electric mobility. With the successful long-distance drive of the EQS, we show that this technology delivers not only in the lab but also on the road. Our goal is to bring innovations like this into series production by the end of the decade and offer our customers a new level of range and comfort.”
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement
Technology Background
The solid-state battery system was developed in close collaboration with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP), the Formula 1 technology centre of the Mercedes-Benz Group in Brixworth, UK. The lithium-metal cells used in the vehicle come from U.S.-based manufacturer Factorial Energy and are based on FEST® technology (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology).
To support the cells during the volume changes typical of this technology and to ensure the necessary contact pressure on the cells, the solid-state battery is equipped with pneumatic actuators. These actuators respond to the changes in cell volume during charging and discharging, thereby ensuring the flawless operation of the battery over time. The usable energy content of the battery was increased by 25%, while the weight and size of the battery remain comparable to the standard EQS battery. Additional weight and energy efficiency is achieved through passive airflow cooling.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
The bottom line here is that as soon as battery technology that permits 1,000-plus kms on a single charge makes it into the mainstream, then EVs will take off. And if you can charge your car to over 80% in under 10 minutes, well, say no more. Problem—or should I say ‘range anxiety’—solved.
