Sionic Energy today announced a robust battery that replaces graphite entirely, with a 100 percent silicon anode—versus the roughly five to ten percent portion found in some Teslas and other electric vehicles( EVs). The battery’s performance hinges on a patented silicon-carbon composite made by Washington-based Group14 Technologies.

Group14 plans to open a factory in Moses Lake, Wash. in the first quarter of 2025 with annual capacity for 4,000 tons of its nanostructured silicon-carbon material, called SCC55. That black powder could supply 20 gigawatt hours of cells, enough to power 100,000 to 200,000 EVs, or millions of consumer devices like phones. The two companies say silicon anodes can boost energy density by up to 50 percent versus today’s best nickel-rich batteries, and reduce EV charging times to 10 minutes or less.