Mercedes-Benz launches battery factory in the USA and showcases EQS SUV interior

CO2-neutral production

The production of high-performance lithium-ion batteries for the EQS SUV and the EQE SUV runs CO2-neutral. On a production line approximately 300 meters long with more than 70 workstations, the energy storage systems are assembled into a complete system. The individual components are combined in a fully digitalized production process, including up to twelve cell modules and the so-called EE compartment for the intelligent integration of power electronics. The manufacturer is creating around 600 new jobs in Bibb County.

Battery with reduced cobalt content

The battery system for the EQS SUV, which seats seven, is based on a modular architecture also used in the EQS and EQE sedans. It is characterized by a state-of-the-art cell chemistry with nickel, cobalt, and manganese in a ratio of 8:1:1. The reduction of the cobalt content to around ten percent and the CO2-neutral production of the batteries increase sustainability.

The new EQS SUV is the first all-electric luxury SUV and the third model based on the innovative electric vehicle architecture. The interior is designed to combine the design and comfort of the EQS sedan with the spaciousness and versatility of the full-size SUV concept. The manufacturer promises generous SUV interior dimensions, usable for example through an optional third row of seats and an electrically adjustable second row of seats with high flexibility. The so-called MBUX Hyperscreen from the EQS sedan is also included, a curved 56-inch screen that integrates the instrument cluster, infotainment system, and passenger display into a seamless design.

Sustainability at the new plant in Bibb County

The new plant is set to focus on sustainability beyond the product. In addition to energy-efficient building design, hot water will be generated using solar thermal energy, and rainwater will be collected and utilized. An intelligent control system for the LED lighting and ventilation in the battery assembly area ensures efficiency. The air conditioning systems use environmentally friendly refrigerants and energy-saving process technology, and the forklifts are powered by hydrogen instead of diesel. In line with the corporate strategy, the entire electricity demand will be covered by renewable energy sources from 2024 onwards—once the planned solar energy projects are approved.

In addition to the circular economy and value retention, there is also a focus on recycling. The company is expanding its global strategy for battery recycling to include the return of lithium-ion battery systems from Mercedes-EQ vehicles. In Germany, construction of the company's own battery recycling plant, based on hydrometallurgy, recently began. Analogous to this technology, the Stuttgart-based company plans to close the material cycle with high-tech partners for battery recycling in China and the USA.

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz has entered into a five-year partnership with "The Nature Conservancy" worth more than $600,000 to support the "Working Woodlands" in northeast Alabama. The organization is committed to the preservation, restoration, and promotion of sustainable forestry and natural concepts, including wildlife protection. This long-term project also contributes to fulfilling Mercedes-Benz's sustainable corporate strategy "Ambition 2039," which aims for a CO2-neutral vehicle fleet by 2039.