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Stellantis and Factorial Energy have successfully validated the latter’s 77Ah Factorial Electrolyte System Technology (FEST) solid-state battery cells.
The development marks progress towards bringing next-generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries to the market.
In 2024, Stellantis and Factorial announced the next phase of their partnership, aimed at advancing the development and deployment of next-generation EVs using Factorial’s solid-state battery technology.
The initiative builds on Stellantis’ $75m investment in Factorial made in 2021.
Stellantis is planning to launch a demonstration fleet of all-new Dodge Charger Daytona vehicles featuring Factorial’s solid-state batteries in 2026. This will mark a key next step in the commercialisation of this “promising technology".
This demonstration fleet aims to validate Factorial’s technology and assess its performance in real-world driving conditions.
During the latest assessment, the automotive-sized 77Ah FEST cells have demonstrated an energy density of 375Wh/kg and are progressing towards automotive qualification.
The validated solid-state batteries offer higher energy density and faster charging compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, Stellantis said.
Factorial's 77Ah FEST cells are capable of charging from 15% to over 90% in just 18 minutes at room temperature.
They also boast high power output with discharge rates up to 4C, which caters to the increasing performance demands of EVs.
Factorial has utilised scientific engineering and AI-driven tools to develop an electrolyte formulation that enables the battery to operate effectively in a wide temperature range, from -30°C to 45°C.
This overcomes previous limitations of solid-state batteries and suggests improved performance in various climates, the company said.
Stellantis chief engineering and technology officer Ned Curic said: “Reaching this level of performance reflects the strengths of our collaboration with Factorial.
“This breakthrough puts us at the forefront of the solid-state revolution, but we are not stopping there. We continue working together to push the boundaries and deliver even more advanced solutions, bringing us closer to lighter, more efficient batteries that reduce costs for our customers.”
Stellantis and Factorial are also collaborating on pack design and technology integration to reduce battery pack weight and improve system efficiency. These efforts aim to enhance vehicle range and support sustainable EV solutions.
Factorial Energy CEO Siyu Huang said: “Battery development is about compromise. While optimising one feature is simple, balancing high energy density, cycle life, fast charging, and safety in an automotive-sized battery with OEM validation is a breakthrough.