A California-based battery supplier has officially begun production of its new long-range EV battery technology, titled “Titan”. The company, Sila Nanotechnologies Inc., boasts a battery that is powered by silicon-based anodes. This innovation can instantly increase battery range for electric vehicles by up to 20%, a huge advantage to EV drivers. Sila is currently in the qualification process with multiple automakers, and its first customer is Mercedes who will use the anode in their EQG SUV, a long-range electric version of the popular G-Class.
The CEO and co-founder of Sila Nanotechnologies Inc., Gene Berdischevsky, claims that the company is producing enough material for up to 200,000 vehicles per year and will increase to a million vehicles by 2028. This impressive move will bring competition to the battery industry, as Tesla, Group14 Technologies, and OneD Battery Sciences also seek to develop their own silicon-based anode batteries.
The innovation is a giant leap forward in battery design. For decades, since lithium ion batteries were invented in the 1980s, graphite-based anodes have been the norm. Graphite works, but adds weight and volume to the battery, reducing capacity. This is why some automakers have already added some silicon in their batteries – to charge faster and store more energy. However, silicon expands three times in size as the battery fills up with lithium ions, so it is not above a certain concentration. The Titan anode from Sila solves this issue by using a scaffolding structure for the silicon particles so they can expand without damaging the outer shell, limiting expansion to just 6%.
Sila Nanotechnologies Inc. has been around since 2011 and has raised over $930 million in funding. Gene Berdischevsky, CEO of the company has stated that once silicon-based anodes are comparable in price with graphite, their technology could become an industry-standard by 2030.
The story of Sila’s success shows how innovation and dedication could be rewarded in a very competitive industry. After 12 years of development and over 70,000 formula variations, the company is set to revolutionize long-range EV batteries. Given the boost that this technology will bring to electric vehicles, it is no doubt that we will be seeing more of Sila’s high-end products in the future.
Gene Berdischevsky is the creative mind behind Sila’s success. He is a co-founder of the company, serving as its CEO since its founding in 2011. He oversaw the 12-year long development of the Titan anodes and the development and perfecting of more than 70,000 variations of the formula. His experience and knowledge of the battery industry have allowed him to push the limits of technology, revolutionizing the field of long-range EV batteries.
Sila Nanotechnologies Inc. is a holy grail for battery technology. Their breakthrough innovation guarantees a 20% increase in battery range, meaning more miles and fewer charging sessions for electric vehicles. This advanced technology also allows for batteries with industry-leading energy density, enabling Tesla and other auto manufacturers to create more space-efficient and lightweight batteries. With the help of a $100 million loan from the US Department of Energy and its groundbreaking silicon-based anode technology, Sila Nanotechnologies is poised to reach industry-leading heights, revolutionizing the way EVs are powered.
