Mercedes-Benz is not just focusing on solid-state battery advancements through its partnership with Factorial but is already planning the next leap in electric vehicle (EV) technology – a groundbreaking approach to battery pack design, combining different cell types in parallel arrangements.
This concept could revolutionise the performance capabilities of its offerings, especially those from the AMG division. The key to this lies in a new micro-converter system, developed in-house. These programmable micro-converters according to Green Car Reports are compact and lightweight no larger than a pack of chewing-gum.
Mercedes’ micro-converters allow for direct connection and independent control of any number of cell pairs unlike traditional series-wired battery packs. This capability enables engineers to program and manage different cell chemistries simultaneously, irrespective of their state of charge.
During the demonstration, test cells under load were mixed and managed dynamically, with engineers switching specific cell pairings on and off to optimise performance. The implications of this breakthrough is immense. Through this Mercedes could integrate diverse cell types like LFP, NMC and even solid-state cells into a single pack.
Furthermore, each cell type could then be selectively activated based on driving conditions. For example, solid-state cells for high-performance bursts after which the micro-converter switches to LFP cells to take over for steady, long-distance cruising.
According to engineers, this approach would not only unlock faster charging and extended range but also provide unprecedented flexibility in battery design by tailoring power delivery and cell usage to suit specific conditions, unlocking new levels of performance, blending raw power with intelligent efficiency.