Amazon co-founder MacKenzie Scott has donated over $19 billion to charity in just five years
Diamond batteries powered by nuclear waste promise 28,000 years of clean energy
Stellantis Bolsters Its Solid-State Battery Strategy
Stellantis has recently confirmed the successful development of solid-state battery cells in collaboration with American startup Factorial Energy. These 77 Ah cells boast an energy density of 375 Wh/kg, approximately double that of a typical lithium-iron-phosphate battery. The goal: to equip a pilot fleet by 2026, potentially including models like the Dodge Charger Daytona. This milestone brings the FEST technology (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) closer to industrial deployment, competing in a field traditionally dominated by Asian manufacturers.
Rapid Charging and High-Temperature Endurance
The technical promise hinges on fast charging capabilities: FEST batteries can charge from 15% to 90% in just 18 minutes at room temperature. Another key feature is their broad thermal tolerance, ranging from -30°C to +45°C, without performance degradation. This is a clear advantage over traditional prototypes, which are often limited by extreme temperatures. Factorial highlights over 600 successful charge-discharge cycles and a discharge capacity of up to 4C, suitable for high-performance vehicles and heavy-duty applications.
Although these tests are promising, the technology is still in the pre-industrial validation phase. Integrating it into vehicles will require modifications to existing architectures designed for conventional lithium-ion batteries. Stellantis, which invested $75 million in Factorial in 2021, is now focused on finalizing the technical integration into demonstration vehicles. This will allow for real-world performance assessments before potentially launching on a larger scale.
A Step Ahead
With this announcement, Stellantis is capturing attention away from competitors like BYD, Tesla, and Hyundai. While the market readiness of these solid-state batteries is not yet guaranteed, Stellantis is once again asserting its commitment to mastering key technological components for its future electric platforms. The gamble is risky but could be highly rewarding: increased density, enhanced safety, extended range… We’re eager to see these advancements in the first production vehicles from the group.