In a milestone, supermaterials trailblazer Lyten has shipped lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries to Stellantis and other US and EU OEMs for testing.
Lyten’s shipment of A samples of its 6.5 Ah Li-S pouch cells is the first major step in the commercial evaluation of lithium-sulfur batteries by leading US and European automakers. Stellantis announced that it had invested in Lyten’s lithium-sulfur battery development in May 2023.
“This milestone is the result of years of dedicated work and innovation from the Lyten team, and we are just at the start of further expanding the capabilities of our lithium-sulfur battery cells,” said Lyten CEO and cofounder Dan Cook.
Operating from its automated pilot production line in San Jose, California, which came online in May 2023, Lyten produces lithium-sulfur batteries using standard lithium-ion manufacturing equipment and practices. The company plans to ship cylindrical A samples later this year, and its first giga-scale factory is currently being designed.
Lithium-sulfur batteries face issues related to cycle life and stability under real-world operating conditions, but Lyten says it’s addressed those challenges in its lithium-sulfur EV batteries.
Lyten has integrated its proprietary 3D graphene structure within the Li-S battery’s cathode. This structure enhances the battery’s overall stability and conductivity, addressing common issues such as the polysulfide shuttle effect, which typically leads to rapid capacity loss in Li-S batteries.
By using a lithium metal composite for the anode instead of the traditional graphite, Lyten has improved the anode’s stability and efficiency. This modification also helps to increase the battery’s overall energy density while potentially reducing degradation over time.
The need for critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese in the cathode is also eliminated, and that means a projected 65% lower carbon footprint than lithium-ion batteries and a supply chain that can be fully sourced in the US or EU at scale.
In February 2024, Chrysler announced the inclusion of Lyten’s Li-S batteries in its Halcyon concept EV, and the US Department of Energy has granted Lyten $4 million to accelerate development. Lyten has raised more than $410 million in equity capital to date.
What do you think of the commercial potential Li-S EV batteries? Let us know in the comments below.
Read more: Stellantis sees Q1 2024 drop in revenue, but EV sales were up
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