LG Energy Solution to Supply 46100 Battery Cells to Mercedes-Benz

2 min readOct 5, 20265:53 PM

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LG Energy Solution will supply Mercedes-Benz with a new 46100 cylindrical battery cell for the German automaker’s next-generation electric vehicles starting in 2028.

The agreement expands a series of four long-term supply contracts signed between the two companies since October 2024.

New Dimensions for Cylindrical Packs

With a diameter of 46 millimetres and a height of 100 millimetres, the 46100 format is an unannounced variation within the broader 46-series family. The cylindrical format gained industry prominence after Tesla adopted the 4680 size. Other manufacturers have experimented with 4695 and 46120 designs. The 100-millimetre height fits the specific packaging requirements of Mercedes-Benz vehicle architectures.

Pilot manufacturing for the 46100 cell will take place at LG Energy Solution’s domestic facility in Ochang, South Korea. That site will calibrate machinery and refine production tolerances before equipment ships to Europe. Mass production will run at the group’s manufacturing complex in Wrocław, Poland, where line installation begins next year. The supplier is also weighing capital expenditures for dedicated module assembly lines at the Polish site to deliver complete clusters directly to vehicle assembly plants.

“Pilot manufacturing for the 46100 cell will take place at LG Energy Solution’s domestic facility in Ochang, South Korea.”

Diversification Across Cell Geometries

Automakers in Europe and Asia are rethinking their dependence on pouch and prismatic cell formats. Cylindrical cells offer superior structural stability and heat dissipation. That reduces the risk of thermal runaway in high-output drivetrains. Mercedes-Benz previously relied heavily on pouch cells from suppliers including SK On and Farasis Energy. Safety recalls and module complexity pushed the brand toward mixed procurement strategies.

LG Energy Solution has built out manufacturing capacity for varied cylindrical specifications. The company started production of 4695 cells at the Ochang plant late last year. It is preparing to manufacture cylindrical units ranging from 4680 to 46120 specifications at its facility in Arizona by the end of this year. Adding a 46100 line gives the manufacturer a customized offering for premium European carmakers without redesigning its core cell chemistry.

Procurement Rivalry Among Korean Suppliers

Mercedes-Benz is maintaining a competitive supplier base across Asian manufacturers rather than granting exclusivity to a single partner. In April, the carmaker signed its first long-term electric vehicle battery contract with Samsung SDI. China’s CATL continues to supply large volumes across multiple vehicle platforms. Sourcing from multiple cell makers prevents bottlenecks and keeps downward pressure on pricing per kilowatt-hour.

For Korean battery producers, securing multi-year European supply pacts offsets softer domestic electric vehicle adoption and tariff uncertainties in North America. The challenge sits in production yield rates for large-diameter cells. Scaling 46-millimetre lines requires tight welding tolerances and rapid tabless assembly processes. Both have created ramp-up delays across the sector.

Manufacturing Milestones Ahead

Validation testing on the Ochang pilot line will finish before commercial tooling is installed in Poland next year. Initial volume shipments will follow for the 2028 model rollout, building on supply agreements executed over the past two years as Mercedes-Benz overhauled its platform roadmap.

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What this means

LG Energy Solution's latest agreement with Mercedes-Benz is a strong move, using its expanded cylindrical cell manufacturing for a tailored 46100 format. This pressures rivals like SK On and Farasis Energy, who previously supplied Mercedes with pouch cells, and intensifies competition with Samsung SDI, which also secured a long-term contract in April. While Mercedes-Benz's multi-sourcing strategy mitigates supply risks and controls costs, the challenge for LGES lies in achieving high production yields for these complex large-diameter cells, a hurdle that has caused industry delays. This focus on premium European automakers with customised solutions could yield significant returns if manufacturing ramp-up is smooth. We will be watching for the start of line installation at the Wrocław plant next year.

Sarah Chen

Questions & Answers

When will Mercedes-Benz begin receiving these new 46100 battery cells from LG Energy Solution?

LG Energy Solution will start supplying the new 46100 cylindrical battery cells to Mercedes-Benz for its next-generation electric vehicles from 2028. This delivery builds on supply agreements established over the past two years.

Where will the mass production of these 46100 battery cells take place for Mercedes-Benz?

Mass production for the 46100 cell will occur at LG Energy Solution’s manufacturing complex in Wrocław, Poland. Pilot manufacturing and calibration will first take place at their Ochang facility in South Korea.

Why is Mercedes-Benz moving towards cylindrical battery cells over other formats?

Mercedes-Benz is diversifying its procurement due to cylindrical cells offering superior structural stability and heat dissipation. This reduces thermal runaway risk, a factor in previous safety recalls and module complexity issues with pouch cells.

Which other battery suppliers does Mercedes-Benz use besides LG Energy Solution?

Mercedes-Benz maintains a competitive supplier base, also sourcing from Samsung SDI for EV batteries, as signed in April. China’s CATL continues to supply large volumes across multiple vehicle platforms for the carmaker.

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