Dodge Charger Daytona receives solid-state battery for demo purposes
Stellantis and Factorial describe the near-term plans for a demonstration fleet as the next chapter in their partnership and further acceleration of solid-state battery technology to market. The initiative builds on Stellantis’ $75 million investment in Factorial in 2021. Mercedes-Benz also invested in Factorial at the same time.
Stellantis is now forging ahead with the announcement that it intends to put a demonstration fleet of the Dodge Charger Daytona with solid-state batteries on the road by 2026. However, the manufacturer has not specified how many units are planned. What is clear, however, is that the demonstration fleet is intended to validate the factorial technology and evaluate its performance under real driving conditions. The project should therefore not be confused with the roll-out of series vehicles. It is still too early for that.
The Dodge Charger Daytona is an electric muscle car based on the STLA Large platform. Dodge announced the model in spring and specified prices for the US market in August. The Charger Daytona will be produced at the Windsor plant in the Canadian province of Ontario – initially as a two-door model from this year and as a four-door model from the first half of 2025. However, Stellantis emphasises in its current announcement that the model is not yet available to order and that no binding consumption and emission figures are yet available.
Stellantis considers the STLA Large platform to be predestined for the solid-state battery demo, “due to its focus on high-volume electric SUVs and performance vehicles.” Stellantis explained: “The STLA Large platform, a cornerstone of Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, includes brands such as Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo and Maserati. It is designed to support up to two million vehicles globally, making it perfectly suited for this innovative battery technology.”
Factorial will specifically supply Stellantis with cells based on its proprietary ‘FEST’ technology. The partners state that the specific energy density of the cells is a good 390 Wh/kg. Compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, the solid-state battery not only has a higher energy density but also a lower weight, improved performance and the potential to further reduce overall vehicle costs over time.
“We are honored to be part of this journey with Stellantis to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles,” said Siyu Huang, CEO and co-founder of Factorial. “We believe solid-state technology can play a crucial role in enabling the next generation of EVs with improved performance and reduced costs.”
“This demonstration fleet is an important milestone in our partnership with Factorial,” said Ned Curic, Chief Engineering and Technology Officer at Stellantis. “By integrating Factorial’s innovative battery solution into the STLA Large platform, we are validating its potential to enhance our electric vehicle lineup, ensuring customers benefit from improved performance, longer driving ranges and faster charging times in the coming years.”
Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Factorial cooperation is also beginning to bear fruit. In mid-September, the US battery developer presented the current status of a solid-state battery that is currently being developed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz. The product should be ready for the market by the end of the decade. Mercedes is acting as a development partner and key customer in the cooperation.
However, Factorial’s circle of partners extends far beyond Stellantis and Mercedes. From the automotive industry, Hyundai-Kia is also among the supporters of the US developer, which opened its first development and production facility near Boston in autumn 2023. With a capacity of 200 MWh, this will be the largest production line for solid-state batteries in the USA to date. The funds for the construction of the factory come, among other things, from a USD 200 million financing round concluded at the beginning of 2022, which Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz led at the time.
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