Mercedes-Benz is assessing organic battery technology for better tomorrow

In last few years, we saw technology growing in an amazing way. Year by year, we are getting close to developing clean energy to make this world a better place.  In the light of foregoing, the technology was previewed on the future-gazing Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car unveiled earlier this year. 

Its organic batteries are made from graphene-based organic-cell chemistry with a water-based electrolyte. They don't use any rare or toxic materials or metals, making them entirely recyclable through composting. Early testing shows they offer both a high energy density and quick-charging capability.

Andreas Hintennach, Mercedes-Benz' senior manager of battery research, said: “It’s a very promising technology. I’ve already seen it working in laboratories, where the results look really good, but we don’t see that it’s close to being used in production technology for now. It’s around 15-20 years away.”

Mercedes-Benz is striving to become entirely carbon-neutral by 2039. It's researching a number of technologies to reduce the environmental impact of battery production – particularly by reducing the use of controversial materials such as cobalt and lithium. All current electric vehicles, including the Mercedes-Benz EQC and the firm's other EVs, use lithium ion battery technology.

On the same hand, Mercedes is working to improve the efficiency of lithium ion batteries – Hinnentach estimates that range could still be boosted by up to 25% – while evaluating a number of future technologies that it aims to introduce within the next 5-15 years.