Your stylish Mercedes electric vehicle may soon be powered by Samsung battery cells.

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      Mercedes strengthens its connections in Korea with a new collaboration with Samsung SDI for battery supply.

      The upcoming Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle (EV) may be powered by Samsung cells, as Samsung SDI has signed a multi-year battery supply agreement with the car manufacturer. This marks the first partnership between the Korean company and the luxury brand for EV batteries.

      What to anticipate from this battery supply agreement

      Samsung SDI has indicated that the batteries will feature high-nickel NCM chemistry and will be utilized in Mercedes-Benz's next-generation electric vehicles. According to a report from the Korea JoongAng Daily, Mercedes plans to incorporate Samsung SDI's cells in its forthcoming compact and mid-size electric SUVs and coupe models.

      While specific details are currently sparse, this announcement is still significant.

      Mercedes-Benz

      Why this supplier change is important for Mercedes

      A notable aspect of this agreement is that it represents Samsung SDI's inaugural battery contract with Mercedes-Benz. The Korea JoongAng Daily reports that Mercedes had previously depended on LG Energy Solution and SK On for its EV batteries, while Samsung SDI's partnership in the automotive sector has primarily been with BMW.

      This suggests that Mercedes is not merely renewing a standard supply arrangement; it is expanding its battery sourcing strategy at a time when car manufacturers are working to optimize range, performance, cost, and long-term supply stability. Samsung SDI asserts that its cells are engineered to provide extended driving ranges, enhanced durability, high output performance, and in-house safety measures.

      The report highlights that Mercedes-Benz chairman Ola Källenius met with Samsung Electronics executive chairman Lee Jae-yong during a visit to Korea last year, and mentions that Mercedes already collaborates with Samsung in other domains, such as in-vehicle displays and Samsung Wallet digital key support.

      Thus, the German automaker is not relying solely on one supplier for its entire EV future. This agreement coincides with Mercedes-Benz's efforts to enhance EV range and charging technologies, making this partnership a logical progression.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience in consumer hardware, focusing on...

      Volvo's parent company has unveiled a $16,000 EV that appears surprisingly luxurious.

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      Xiaomi is known for producing low-cost gadgets, but its CEO has ruled out budget EVs.

      Xiaomi has built a reputation for creating surprisingly affordable gadgets that still maintain a sense of quality. However, this approach doesn’t appear to extend to electric vehicles. According to ITHome, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun stated during a livestream for the company’s SU7 endurance challenge on April 17 that the company will not produce vehicles priced under 100,000 Yuan, which is close to $15,000. Lei explained that if consumers expect an electric car to offer advanced features, software, and overall capability, it is difficult to keep costs down to that level.

      The new electric Mercedes C-Class features a prominent screen.

      Mercedes is leveraging the interior design to ensure its first electric C-Class feels more like a significant evolution rather than just a typical update. Ahead of the car’s world premiere on April 20, the company has revealed an interior highlighted by a sweeping digital display, enhanced space, and a more luxurious finish focused on comfort and aesthetics.

      The standout feature is the new MBUX Hyperscreen, with Mercedes also providing a Superscreen option. Both systems aim to extend the digital interface across the front of the vehicle and seamlessly integrate the center console with the instrument panel, resulting in a cleaner and more striking dashboard design compared to the existing C-Class.