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Stellantis powers up low-cost, US-sourced EV batteries with lithium-sulfur tech

In a bold move towards sustainable mobility, Stellantis, the automotive giant, has invested significantly in Lyten, a pioneering advanced materials company specializing in lithium-sulfur EV battery technology. The announcement on Thursday revealed Stellantis' commitment to promoting low-cost, US-sourced electric vehicle (EV) batteries that could revolutionize the industry.

Lyten, based in Silicon Valley, has developed the LytCell lithium-sulfur EV battery, which aims to overcome the challenges typically associated with sulfur-based batteries. By leveraging their expertise, Lyten has achieved twice the energy density, improved payload, and a remarkably 60% lower carbon footprint than traditional lithium-ion EV batteries.

Electric car charging from a power supply truck

Chesky_W/iStock 

CEO Dan Cook expressed his confidence in the technology, stating, "We think this is what mobility needs to achieve net zero." During a media roundtable held earlier in the week, Cook highlighted the transformative potential of LytCell batteries in the pursuit of carbon neutrality.

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The secret behind Lyten's innovation lies in their proprietary "3D graphene" supermaterial. While 2D graphene has been known since 2004, earning a Nobel Prize in 2010, Lyten took it a step further by bringing it out of the lab and into commercial applications. 

Using their patented reactor technology, Lyten transforms methane into 3D graphene, which exhibits enhanced strength, conductivity, and permeability. This unique supermaterial allows for more effective reactions with other materials, including sulfur, addressing one of the main obstacles to the widespread adoption of lithium-sulfur batteries.

Key advantages of Lyten’s lithium-sulfur battery tech

One of the key advantages of Lyten's lithium-sulfur battery tech is the potential for a lower bill of materials without compromising energy density. By offering a viable alternative to batteries containing nickel, manganese, and cobalt, Lyten's technology can contribute to reducing costs associated with EV manufacturing. 

Furthermore, the raw materials required for these batteries can be sourced and produced entirely in the US, Canada, or Europe, capitalizing on the growing incentives provided by initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act to bolster supply in key auto markets.

Recognizing the immense potential of Lyten's lithium-sulfur batteries, Stellantis Ventures, the corporate venture fund behind the automaker, has made a strategic and undisclosed investment in Lyten's series B fundraising campaign. Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO, lauded the technology and its potential impact on clean, safe, and affordable mobility. 

Tavares stated, "Lyten's Lithium-Sulfur battery has the potential to be a key ingredient in enabling mass-market EV adoption globally, and their material technology is equally well positioned to help reduce vehicle weight, which is all necessary for our industry to achieve carbon net-zero goals."

Aligning with Stellantis's Dare Forward 2030 strategy, the company aims for 100% of its passenger car sales to be electric in Europe and 50% in the US by the end of the decade. Several Stellantis brands, including Jeep and Ram, are set to launch their first EVs in North America. The highly anticipated 2025 Ram 1500 REV electric pickup is scheduled for a late release next year, while Jeep plans to open reservations for the Recon and Wagoneer S electric models later this year.

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 25.05.2023

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