The short answer. The Mercedes-Benz new EV battery news is about cell chemistry, not a new model. On 27 October 2026 Mercedes-Benz said it is developing a manganese-rich LMO and NMC blend and a cobalt-free LNMO cell that it says may deliver up to 30 per cent more range than LFP at a comparable weight and package size. No production date, vehicle or Australian timing has been announced.
The Mercedes-Benz new EV battery work was outlined in a powertrain technology update published by the German brand on 27 October 2026. It focuses on reducing the amount of cobalt and nickel in its lithium-ion cells, swapping more of that material for manganese, which is cheaper and more widely available.
For Australian buyers, nothing changes in showrooms today. But the update explains where the batteries in future Mercedes EVs are heading, and it sits alongside the 800-volt technology that already underpins several Mercedes electric models now on sale or arriving here.
What Mercedes-Benz announced about its new EV battery
Mercedes-Benz described two separate chemistry paths. Both aim to cut reliance on cobalt and nickel, two of the most expensive and supply-sensitive materials in today's EV batteries.
| Chemistry | What Mercedes-Benz says | Status |
|---|---|---|
| LMO and NMC blend | Combines lithium manganese oxide with nickel manganese cobalt cells, using more manganese and less cobalt and nickel | Described as a bridge towards manganese-rich cathodes |
| LNMO | Cobalt-free, significantly less nickel, operates at up to 5 volts per cell, up to 30 per cent more range than LFP at comparable weight and packaging may be possible | Development, no production decision announced |
| Solid-state with Factorial Energy | An EQS test car fitted with the cells drove 1205 km from Stuttgart to Malmo without recharging | Road testing |
| Solid-state with ProLogium | Gen4 cells are being tested | Testing, no production decision |
The important wording is "may be possible". The 30 per cent range claim is a development target compared with LFP cells, not a tested figure for a production Mercedes-Benz.
Why manganese matters for EV prices and range
Most EVs sold in Australia use one of two broad battery families. LFP, or lithium iron phosphate, is cheaper and durable but stores less energy for its weight. NMC, or nickel manganese cobalt, packs more energy into the same space but relies on costly nickel and cobalt.
A manganese-rich cell is an attempt to sit between the two. If Mercedes-Benz can get closer to NMC energy density without the cobalt, it could lower cell costs while keeping the long range buyers expect from a premium EV. Higher cell voltage, up to 5 volts in the LNMO case, is one way to lift energy density without adding mass.
There are trade-offs that the brand has not yet detailed publicly, including cycle life, fast-charging behaviour and how the cells cope with heat. Those are the questions that matter most in Australian conditions, and they will only be answered once a production cell is confirmed.
Where the 800-volt platform fits
The battery chemistry news came in the same update as an outline of the brand's wider electric hardware. Mercedes-Benz says its 800-volt architecture is used in the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLB, GLA, GLC and C-Class, and is being extended to the E-Class and S-Class. It also detailed an in-house drive unit, called EDU 2.0, with a two-speed gearbox and silicon-carbide inverter.
The company says it plans more than 40 new models by the end of 2027, a mix of electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles.
Earlier in 2026, Mercedes-Benz said its new-generation 800-volt batteries for the electric GLC are supplied by its Accumotive plant in Kamenz, Germany. For the high-performance end, the electric Mercedes-AMG GT SUV uses cylindrical cells with a silicon-enhanced anode, a different approach again. We covered that model when the electric Mercedes-AMG GT SUV was revealed with an Australian arrival expected in late 2027.
What it means for Mercedes-Benz EV buyers in Australia
The short version is that the new chemistries are future technology. The Mercedes EVs you can order in Australia now use the current-generation 800-volt batteries, and their published specifications are below.
| Model in Australia | Usable battery | Peak DC charging | Range added in 10 minutes (WLTP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLA 200 electric | 58 kWh | 200 kW | 175 to 200 km |
| CLA 350 4MATIC electric | 85 kWh | 320 kW | 275 to 315 km |
| GLC 400 4MATIC electric | 94 kWh | 330 kW | 240 to 305 km |
Figures are from Mercedes-Benz Australia's published model specifications, checked 2 November 2026. Pricing and equipment can change, so confirm the details with a dealer before ordering.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is the brand's most important electric SUV for Australia, with 360 kW and a claimed 22-minute 10 to 80 per cent DC charge. The smaller Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan is the entry point to the 800-volt range, and the wagon version is covered in our story on the CLA Shooting Brake pricing for Australia.
Next up is the electric C-Class sedan. Read our C-Class electric Australian pricing and range story for the full details, or browse the Mercedes-Benz C-Class range.
Should you wait for the new battery
For most buyers, no. There is no announced production date for LNMO cells, and no Mercedes-Benz model has been confirmed to use them. Waiting for a chemistry that has not reached a production decision could mean waiting years.
A more practical check is the battery warranty and charging speed of the car you are considering today. If you are shopping second-hand, our used EV battery health and warranty guide explains what to look for.
What we still do not know
- Which model will be first to use the manganese-rich or LNMO cells.
- Production timing and the supplier for the new cells.
- Real-world range, charging and durability data.
- Whether, and when, any vehicle using them will be sold in Australia.
We will update this story when Mercedes-Benz confirms a production model or Australian timing.