Stellantis: Cooperation with Factorial Energy for Solid-State Batteries

The Stellantis Group has announced a development agreement with US solid-state battery specialist Factorial Energy, aiming to advance Factorial's high-voltage solid-state battery technology. The agreement also includes a strategic investment, according to the announcement. Recently, the French company had announced a cooperation with Vulcan for the procurement of CO2-neutral lithium, thus expanding its series of strategic partnerships.

“Our investment in Factorial and other recognized battery partners increases the speed and agility we need to provide cutting-edge technology for our electric vehicle portfolio. Initiatives like these will enable faster market introduction and a more cost-effective transition to solid-state technology,” believes Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.

According to its own statements, Factorial has developed groundbreaking solid-state technology that addresses two major obstacles to broader acceptance of electric vehicles: range and safety. Siyu Huang, co-founder and CEO of Factorial Energy, sees the cooperation as "the unique opportunity to advance the introduction of our clean, efficient, and safe solid-state battery technology to the mass market.”

Stellantis announced during the EV Day in July 2021 that it plans to bring the first competitive solid-state battery technology to market by 2026. Factorial’s developments are based on the FEST technology (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology), which uses a proprietary solid electrolyte material. This is designed to enable safe and reliable cell performance with high-voltage and high-capacity electrodes and has been scaled into 40-Ah cells that operate at room temperature. FEST is also touted as being safer than conventional lithium-ion technology, increasing range, and being ready for seamless integration into the existing infrastructure for lithium-ion battery manufacturing, according to the provider.