The first electric truck powered by 3D printed batteries was just unveiled
Being able to 3D print batteries means you can increase the surface are of the anodes and cathodes to help batteries store alot more energy.
Key takeaways
- Blackstone said the battery powered vehicle is expected to be commercially available as early as the end of this year as part of a joint project.
- Orten E-Trucks managing partner, Robert Orten, will show off the first commercial vehicle at a proper launch next month.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2022) 'The first electric truck powered by 3D printed batteries was just unveiled', 311 Institute, 8 March. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/the-first-electric-truck-powered-by-3d-printed-batteries-was-just-unveiled/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
There are now lots of electric vehicles (EV) with traditional Lithium Ion (LiON) batteries, including fully 3D printed cars like this one, but now in a world first Germany’s Orten Electric-Trucks has unveiled its first commercial vehicle to be powered by 3D Printed LiON batteries produced by Blackstone Technology, and given the fact that other early prototype 3D printed LiON batteries had over 400% more energy density than their peers it’s a move that could very quickly help extend the range of EV’s beyond the current record of 1,000km. Blackstone said the battery powered vehicle is expected to be commercially available as early as the end of this year as part of a joint project.
Orten E-Trucks managing partner, Robert Orten, will show off the first commercial vehicle at a proper launch next month.
Meanwhile, the two companies say they are already set to take "the next step” and they’re already planning to release a hydrogen powered heavy duty truck for long distance transport which would also use Blackstone’s batteries.
Ulrich Ernst, the founder and CEO of Blackstone’s parent company, Blackstone Resources, said: "With 20% increased energy density, our batteries also enable 20% more range. At the same time, we can dramatically reduce environmental impacts in production and eliminate 50% of the industry's waste materials thanks to 3D printing.”
Blackstone Technology’s Chief Marketing Officer, Serhat Yilmaz, said: "With this, we prove that our advanced batteries are ready for the market and that there is a great demand for them. Their numerous technical advantages play a major part in practical applications.”
World Battery News reported earlier this year that Blackstone had secured a €40m (£34m) investment boost from its parent firm – securing financing for plans to expand production at its plant in Döbeln, Germany, to 500 MWh per annum next year.
Last month, Blackstone said its 3D printed battery cells had passed the UN38.3 battery safety performance test with "flying colours.”
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Being able to 3D print batteries means you can increase the surface are of the anodes and cathodes to help batteries store alot more energy.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
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Sources and further reading
- Orten Electric-Trucks electric-trucks.de
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 8 March 2022. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2022). The first electric truck powered by 3D printed batteries was just unveiled. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/the-first-electric-truck-powered-by-3d-printed-batteries-was-just-unveiled/
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