Panasonic has joined forces with Sila Nanotechnologies to develop cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This partnership aims to tackle critical industry challenges such as range anxiety, charging times, and cost efficiency. Sila’s innovative nano-composite silicon anode material, which replaces some of the graphite in battery cells with silicon-based nanoparticles, promises significant advancements. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, this new material offers nearly ten times the energy capacity and reduces costs. Additionally, Sila’s technology can be integrated into existing production lines, allowing Panasonic to scale up without substantial new investments. This compatibility, combined with the material’s lower carbon footprint, positions Panasonic to expand its manufacturing capabilities sustainably. Sila’s Titan Silicon technology is expected to dramatically improve charging speeds, enabling a battery to charge from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes, with further reductions anticipated. Founded in 2011, Sila has been a leader in battery innovation, with CEO Gene Berdichevsky bringing valuable experience from his time at Tesla. The company’s efforts have attracted significant investments, including a minority stake from Mercedes-Benz in 2019, aimed at advancing EV battery technology. The forthcoming Mercedes-Benz EQG G Wagon will be among the first to utilize Sila’s advanced anode material. With substantial funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and a new manufacturing facility in Washington, Sila aims to achieve a production capacity of 20 GWh by 2026, enough to power approximately 200,000 EVs, with further expansion plans by 2028.
Date: Dec. 19, 2023