November 2, 2024: Carmaker, Stellantis, announced on October 23 that it is introducing a demonstration fleet of EVs fitted with solid-state batteries from US startup, Factorial.

The all-new Dodge Charger Daytona vehicles will be on the road by 2026, representing a key next step in bringing solid-state battery technology to mass production, the two companies said in a statement.

The launch is part of a partnership between Stellantis and Factorial, which began in 2021 with a $75 million investment made by the world’s fourth largest carmaker in the US firm.

The demonstration fleet will mark an important next step in the commercialisation of the “promising” technology and will help Stellantis assess its performance in real-world driving conditions, they said.

As EV carmakers seek ways to cut costs and boost their range amid sluggish sales, solid-state batteries have been seen as game-changing technology for the market. They reduce fire risk and allow for lighter, lower-cost cars that can travel further on a single charge. But they are proving harder than expected to develop at scale.

Stellantis will fit Factorial’s solid-state battery technology with over 390Wh/kg energy density in a fleet on its STLA Large multi-energy platform which focusses on high-volume electric SUVs and performance vehicles and also large-sized models under other brands of the group, including Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

It is designed to support up to two million vehicles globally, according to the automaker’s plans, making it suited to the introduction of solid-state battery technology, thereby reinforcing its commitment to developing high-performing and affordable EVs, central to the firm’s electrification strategy, the firm said.