Stellantis, the automotive titan, has recently announced a significant investment in Lyten, a progressive Silicon Valley-based materials company renowned for its expertise in lithium-sulfur EV battery technology. This strategic investment underscores Stellantis’s resolve to support the development of affordable, US-manufactured electric vehicle (EV) batteries that could trigger a paradigm shift in the industry.
Lyten, a vanguard in advanced material sciences, has introduced the groundbreaking LytCell lithium-sulfur EV battery. This revolutionary tech aims to outsmart the issues typically encountered with sulfur-based batteries. By deploying their exceptional expertise, Lyten has accomplished twice the energy density, superior payload, and a staggeringly 60% reduced carbon footprint compared to conventional lithium-ion EV batteries.
During a recent media engagement, Lyten CEO Dan Cook enthused about the transformative power of LytCell batteries in the race towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions, saying, “We think this is what mobility needs.”
What sets Lyten apart is its proprietary “3D graphene” supermaterial, which takes the 2D graphene concept a notch higher. Lyten’s 3D graphene, created through a patented reactor technology that transforms methane, delivers improved strength, conductivity, and permeability. This innovation enables more efficient reactions with other materials, like sulfur, potentially solving a significant hurdle blocking the mainstream adoption of lithium-sulfur batteries.
Lyten’s lithium-sulfur battery tech offers a crucial advantage: potentially reducing the bill of materials without sacrificing energy density. By presenting a credible alternative to batteries utilizing nickel, manganese, and cobalt, Lyten’s technology could play a pivotal role in slashing EV manufacturing costs.
Furthermore, the materials required for Lyten’s batteries can be wholly sourced and manufactured in the US, Canada, or Europe, maximizing the opportunities provided by initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act to boost supply in critical automotive markets.
Recognizing Lyten’s lithium-sulfur battery potential, Stellantis Ventures, the venture fund division of the automaker, has channeled an undisclosed investment into Lyten’s Series B funding round. Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO, praised Lyten’s potential in enhancing clean, safe, and cost-effective mobility on a global scale.
Stellantis’ commitment to green energy mirrors its Dare Forward 2030 strategy. The automaker aspires to see 100% of its passenger car sales in Europe and 50% in the US to be electric by 2030. Numerous Stellantis brands, including Jeep and Ram, are gearing up to unveil their maiden EVs in North America. The much-awaited 2025 Ram 1500 REV electric pickup is set for a late release next year, while Jeep is anticipated to open reservations for the electric Recon and Wagoneer S models this year.
