Skip to content 
Electric mobility is evolving rapidly. And at the center of this transformation is battery innovation. In a recent interview with Sandy Munro, Jon Bornstein, President of Amprius Lab, detailed a breakthrough in high-performance silicon EV batteries. These next-generation cells offer not only extreme fast charging but also unprecedented power density, thermal control, and specific energy—key metrics that define the future of electric transportation.
For automotive engineers, EV enthusiasts, and forward-looking investors, the implications are significant. Amprius’ battery tech, anchored by a silicon anode platform, promises to reshape both aerial mobility and terrestrial EV performance.
Why Silicon Anode Technology Matters
Traditional lithium-ion batteries rely heavily on graphite anodes, which limit both energy density and charge rates. Amprius leverages 100% silicon anodes—long considered a “holy grail” in battery R&D—for superior energy-to-weight ratios and faster electrochemical reactions.
The company’s latest evolution boosts specific energy to 400 Wh/kg (up from a prior 360 Wh/kg) and maintains fast charge capability—80% in just six minutes. That’s not a marginal improvement. In real-world applications, it can shave hours off mission timelines or drastically reduce EV charge downtime. Crucially, the new cells also offer high power output at low state of charge—a feature essential for safe landings in aviation and consistent performance in extended EV drives.
What Makes This a Game-Changer?
The battery’s standout characteristic is its ability to deliver continuous discharge rates up to 10C (or even higher), compared to ~3C for most graphite-based competitors. This metric is essential for aircraft and high-performance EVs, where power-to-weight and burst performance can dictate commercial viability or racing superiority.
Amprius quantifies this power density with an astonishing 3,500 W/kg output at roughly 260 Wh/kg of retained energy. That’s miles ahead of standard batteries that typically fall below 200 Wh/kg under high discharge. In terms of applications, this means:
-
Longer range for drones and electric aircraft
-
Shorter recharge times for fleet vehicles
-
Potential sub-1.5 second 0–60 mph acceleration for supercars
-
Drastic reduction in EV battery pack weight (estimated 50–60%)
From Urban Air Mobility to EV Supercars
While Amprius’ initial market focus is aviation—including unmanned drones and future air taxis—the roadmap includes automotive integration. Urban air mobility is projected to represent over 90% of the electric vehicle battery market by 2025, with a market size approaching $50 billion. That includes uncrewed aerial vehicles, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) craft, and high-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS).
One such example: Amprius is already supplying Teledyne FLIR’s Black Hornet micro-drones—doubling flight time from 20 to over 40 minutes without increasing weight. Meanwhile, Airbus’ Zephyr HAPS platform aims to fly for over a year on Amprius’ solar-charged energy cells.
Yet the potential for automotive use is equally disruptive. Amprius’ silicon batteries could slash EV pack weights while extending range and cutting charge times. As production scales—especially with their Colorado gigafactory—EV adoption in mainstream markets is not far behind.
Track Record in Real-World Applications
In addition to its defense and aerospace engagements, Amprius is targeting race applications as a gateway into the broader electric vehicle market. Formula E cars, for example, would benefit immensely from both increased range and decreased mass. While regulations currently standardize battery and motor configurations, introducing Amprius cells could extend race durations from under an hour to nearly three—with no increase in pack size or weight.
Moreover, Amprius batteries operate at cooler temperatures under load—a significant advantage over typical lithium cells that heat rapidly at high C-rates. Lower operating temperatures improve safety, efficiency, and component longevity. This stability positions them well not just for EVs but for high-demand military and surveillance operations.
Designed for Scalable Manufacturing
Critically, these performance gains do not require exotic chemistry or niche manufacturing lines. The anode remains largely unchanged across product classes, while the cathode design has been optimized for higher energy and discharge performance. This modularity supports mass production without major overhauls.
Jon Bornstein emphasized that their new release does not complicate manufacturing. Their California headquarters is scaling up to megawatt-hour output, while a new one-million-square-foot facility in Brighton, Colorado is expected to support hundreds of megawatt-hours—eventually scaling to gigawatt-hour capacity.
The result? Real economic advantages from volume production and a lowered cost curve that makes Amprius a viable player not only in niche high-performance sectors but in consumer EVs and logistics fleets.
Practical Implications for Engineers and OEMs
The takeaway for engineers and EV product planners is straightforward: Amprius offers a versatile, future-proof battery platform. It supports fast charging, high-power delivery, and reduced thermal risk, with no need for special cooling systems or exotic materials.
For OEMs, integrating Amprius’ batteries could lead to:
-
Thinner, lighter battery packs
-
Expanded vehicle range without size tradeoffs
-
Rapid-charge capability that eliminates charging bottlenecks
-
Enhanced performance for both consumer and racing EVs
-
Greater safety margins under load due to lower thermal profiles
From a lean design and manufacturing perspective, this also aligns with Munro’s principles: maximizing function, minimizing weight, and optimizing for manufacturability and cost.
A Future Powered by Silicon
With over a decade of R&D and commercialization, Amprius is no longer just promising innovation—they’re delivering it. From aerospace surveillance to electric racing, their silicon-based battery tech sets a new benchmark in the industry.
And they’re just getting started. As their facilities scale, costs fall, and automotive partnerships form, expect to see Amprius batteries in a growing range of electric vehicles—on the road and in the sky.
Take the Next Step with Munro
Explore more cutting-edge teardown insights, cost analysis, and lean design breakdowns by following Munro & Associates and subscribing to Munro Live. Dive into the engineering behind tomorrow’s electric vehicles—and see what’s really powering the future.