Silicon Valley startup Lyten announced plans on Tuesday to construct the world’s first gigafactory for lithium-sulfur batteries in Reno, Nevada. The move comes as companies aim to meet the growing demand for more affordable power sources for electric vehicles (EVs).
Battery expenses significantly influence EV pricing, prompting automakers to explore alternative technologies to make electric vehicles more accessible to a broader market.
Lyten, backed by Stellantis—a parent company of Chrysler—and delivery services provider FedEx, stated it will invest over $1 billion in the facility. The project is expected to create an initial 200 jobs, expanding to more than 1,000 positions in northern Nevada.
Reno is already home to a Tesla Gigafactory that produces battery packs and other components for its EVs. At full capacity, Lyten’s facility is designed to produce up to 10 gigawatt-hours of lithium-sulfur batteries annually. The first phase of production is scheduled to begin in 2027.
Efforts to reduce dependence on China for battery materials have encouraged companies to develop domestic supply chains in North America. However, industry experts caution that establishing a robust and independent supply chain for EV battery cells will take several years.
Founded in 2015, Lyten has been assembling batteries at its semi-automated facility in San Jose, California, since May of last year. The company reports that its lithium-sulfur cells have a high energy density, potentially making them up to 40% lighter than lithium-ion cells.
Lyten indicated it has a pipeline of hundreds of potential customers. Its lithium-sulfur batteries are expected to be used in drones, micromobility solutions, space, and defense markets within the next two years.
Source: Lyten