Mercedes-Benz deepens solid-state battery push with ProLogium
The long-term partnership enters a new testing phase for ProLogium's Gen4 solid-state cells, as the battery maker accelerates construction of its 44 GWh European gigafactory
Mercedes-Benz and Taiwanese battery developer ProLogium have signed a joint testing agreement giving the German carmaker priority access to evaluate ProLogium's latest Gen4 superfluidised inorganic next-generation lithium ceramic battery cells, deepening a technical relationship between the two companies that stretches back nearly a decade.
The agreement builds directly on Mercedes-Benz's long-standing investment in ProLogium and a series of joint technical development agreements the two companies have pursued since 2016. Under the new arrangement, the Gen4 cells will undergo extensive electrical, thermal and safety testing at Mercedes-Benz's dedicated facilities, as well as at specialised external testing institutes, with the results used to assess the technology's suitability for potential use in future Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
A "superfluidised" approach to solid-state chemistry
ProLogium's Gen4 platform represents the company's latest attempt to resolve one of the central trade-offs in solid-state battery development: balancing safety, energy density and manufacturability. The Gen4 battery is built around what the company describes as five core advantages – intrinsic safety, high-performance, high-energy density, scalable manufacturing and a competitive cost structure. Its safety architecture combines a non-flammable inorganic electrolyte with ceramic separator technology and a proprietary active safety mechanism, while the cells are also designed to support fast charging, high power output and strong low-temperature performance.
The "superfluidised" terminology reflects ProLogium's broader technology strategy: rather than pursuing a purely solid electrolyte, the company has positioned its next-generation lithium ceramic batteries as integrating the respective advantages of both solid-state and liquid battery technologies, with the stated aim of achieving scalable manufacturability alongside cost competitiveness.
Over nearly a decade, our collaboration with Mercedes-Benz has evolved from early cell development and validation to testing our latest Gen4 technology for future vehicle applications
Nearly a decade of joint development
The relationship between Mercedes-Benz and ProLogium dates to 2016 and has progressed in stages – from early hybrid-solid-state Gen3 development and validation work through to joint technical development agreements and, eventually, Mercedes-Benz taking an equity stake in the battery maker.
Over the course of the partnership, the two companies have validated multiple lithium ceramic battery formats together, including pouch cells and ProLogium's first next-generation prismatic cells, as well as the company's Bi-Polar cell technology.
"Over nearly a decade, our collaboration with Mercedes-Benz has evolved from early cell development and validation to testing our latest Gen4 technology for future vehicle applications," said Vincent Yang, Founder and CEO of ProLogium. "For next-generation batteries, true value comes from turning years of innovation into scalable manufacturing and commercially viable products. With Mercedes-Benz's early investment and support for our European expansion, together with the strong support of the French government and the European Union, we are advancing toward large-scale production in Europe and building a manufacturing footprint to serve global markets."
Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Chief Technology Officer for Development & Procurement, framed the agreement as part of the carmaker's wider push into next-generation battery chemistries. "At Mercedes-Benz, we are committed to shaping the future of electric mobility through technological leadership and innovation," Burzer said. "Our long-standing partnership with ProLogium is a strong example of how we bring the best expertise together to advance next-generation battery technologies. By combining ProLogium's pioneering solid-state battery approach with Mercedes-Benz's deep battery development, testing and integration capabilities, we are taking the next step in exploring advanced battery technologies for future electric vehicles."
Scaling from Taiwan to northern France
ProLogium's ability to deliver on that scaling ambition rests heavily on its expanding manufacturing footprint. The company's first GWh-scale facility, the Taoke Gigafactory in Taoyuan, Taiwan, has already completed GWh-scale manufacturing validation and is supporting C-sample production and demonstration vehicle programmes, alongside future commercial production. ProLogium describes Taoke as the first commercial next-generation lithium ceramic battery gigafactory to have publicly demonstrated a mass-production line — evidence, the company argues, that next-generation lithium ceramic batteries are no longer confined to the laboratory.
That manufacturing know-how is now being replicated in Europe. ProLogium's second gigafactory, located in Dunkirk, France, held its groundbreaking ceremony for phase one construction in February 2026 and has, according to a separate company announcement, now moved from preparatory work into coordinated on-site execution. Multiple infrastructure workstreams are underway, including electrical installation and grid connection activity, ahead of a planned power-up of the construction site in early October 2026.
The Dunkirk facility will incorporate a bespoke cleanroom and dry room solution designed specifically for high-technology battery manufacturing, and ProLogium is targeting BREEAM sustainability certification for the site.
On current plans, the Dunkirk gigafactory's first phase is designed to reach an annual production capacity of 4.0 GWh, a figure ProLogium expects to achieve progressively by 2030, with mass production scheduled to begin by the end of 2028. The site's maximum designed capacity stands at up to 44 GWh, and the facility will work closely with ProLogium's existing Paris-Saclay R&D centre.
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