Latest news with #FactorialElectrolyteSystemTechnology
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Stellantis, Factorial Energy validate FEST solid-state battery cells for EVs
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. 'This achievement with Stellantis is bringing next-generation battery technology from research to reality.' "Stellantis, Factorial Energy validate FEST solid-state battery cells for EVs" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
Stellantis validates Factorial Energy solid-state battery cells
April 24 (Reuters) - Carmaker Stellantis ( opens new tab announced on Thursday the successful validation of U.S. startup Factorial Energy's automotive-sized solid-state battery cells with FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology). Stellantis invested 75 million euros ($85.34 million) in Factorial Energy in 2021, and will introduce the company's solid-state batteries into a demonstration fleet by 2026 as announced last year. here. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries offer higher energy density and faster charging, allowing a charge from 15% to over 90% in just 18 minutes at room temperature, according to the joint statement from Stellantis and Factorial Energy. ($1 = 0.8789 euros)
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes Is Testing This Firm's Solid-State Cells
Mercedes-Benz starts road tests of solid-state battery design by US-based developer Factorial Energy. The solid-state cells promise greater range, thermal safety, and decreased weight compared to traditional lithium-ion cells. The FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) cells use a floating cell carrier as the materials expand when the battery charges and contract when it discharges. Mercedes-Benz has been one of several automakers backing Boston-based solid-state battery tech startup Factorial, even as mass production of these batteries has perpetually been just over the horizon. And now this effort appears closer to bearing fruit, as the automaker begins tests of a new lithium-metal solid-state battery composition in an actual electric vehicle. With some modifications, the solid-state prototype battery pack was installed in a Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan late last year, but the actual road test began this month. The automaker worked with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) in the UK—its subsidiary specializing in F1 technologies—on integrating the battery researcher's FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) cells into a prototype battery pack. The new battery pack design uses a floating cell carrier as the cell materials expand when the battery charges, and contract when it discharges. Mercedes has already obtained a patent for this carrier. Among other things, solid-state designs promise a reduced battery weight, higher thermal safety, greater energy density per unit mass, and up to 25% more range when compared to a lithium-ion battery pack of the same weight and size. "This breakthrough demonstrates that solid-state battery technology has moved beyond the laboratory and into real-world application, setting a new benchmark for the entire automotive industry," said Siyu Huang, CEO and co-founder of Factorial Energy. Just how much range could this EQS prototype offer? Over 621 miles or 1,000 kilometers, Mercedes-Benz says. Of course, this is the automaker's internal estimate for now and not one based on the WLTP or EPA testing. But if this design can be mass produced with the resulting EVs offering a range of over 600 miles without a significant hike in price, this would certainly be a game-changer in the EV world. "Developing an automotive-scale solid-state battery underlines our commitment to innovation and sustainability," said Markus Schäfer, member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG and chief technology officer of development and procurement. "We will gain crucial insights into possible series integration of this cutting-edge battery technology." It remains to be seen whether Factorial's solid-state battery tech, once it enters production, will be able to revitalize the automaker's EV sales in the second half of the decade, which have taken a significant hit in 2024. For now, months of road tests are still ahead before any decisions are made regarding mass production. Greater range is always useful, but there are other issues keeping EV sales where they are, and this includes the current charging infrastructure, vehicle prices, software, and other issues. Ultimately, solid-state designs will have to achieve some level of cost parity with lithium-ion compositions very quickly before their other advantages can be felt by consumers. Mercedes did not offer a timeline for possible mass production of Factorial's cells—such a step is expected to be some time away—as other automakers scramble to scale up their own solid-state designs. Will solid-state designs revitalize EV sales once several new compositions with greater ranges arrive on sale, or are EVs facing a variety of other important barriers? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes starts first road tests of solid-state batteries with U.S. startup Factorial
Mercedes-Benz will start testing solid-state batteries on the road this month, in collaboration with Factorial, a U.S. startup that is also partners with Stellantis and Hyundai-Kia. The technology promises 25 percent more range for the same size and weight battery, Mercedes says. The EQS test car is expected to have a range of more than 1,000 km (620 miles). Currently, the maximum range for an EQS is about 800 km. Mercedes since 2021 has invested 'high double-digit millions' in Factorial, which is promoting a lithium-metal anode in its solid-state batteries. The Massachusetts-based company says its Factorial Electrolyte System Technology, or FEST, can be integrated into existing manufacturing for conventional lithium-ion batteries, potentially solving a major issue for solid-state batteries. In general, solid-state batteries offer improved energy density, faster charging and improved safety over conventional 'wet' electrolyte batteries, but they are difficult to produce at scale and no automaker has yet offered them for sale in a mass-produced car. Sign up for the Automotive News Europe Focus on Technology weekly newsletter, looking at advancements in all aspects of the vehicle including performance, autonomous driving, batteries and more. The lithium-ion batteries used until now have a liquid electrolyte and a separator between the negative anode and positive cathode through which ions pass. Solid-state batteries combine the separator and electrolyte in a solid medium. As a result, the cells can be made much thinner. Despite their potential advantages, solid-state batteries have remained just out of reach for the auto industry. Researchers and startups are still experimenting with electrolyte materials, and problems remain with brittleness. For the test cars, Mercedes-Benz and its AMG High Performance Powertrains division, based in the U.K., developed and patented a new solid-state battery pack. The patent is based on a 'floating' cell carrier to accommodate changes to the battery material when charging and discharging. When the battery is charging, the materials expand, and they contract when the battery is discharging. The floating carrier includes pneumatic actuators. Laboratory vehicle tests were conducted in Germany at the end of last year. Mercedes did not give a timeline for mass production Feb. 20 at its capital markets day, where it announced the tests with Factorial, although several years ago it pointed to 2028 as a goal. Factorial says that the Mercedes test is the first time that lithium metal solid-state batteries have been integrated into a production vehicle. Stellantis, which has invested $75 million in Factorial and has also been a partner since 2021, is slightly behind Mercedes in testing the company's batteries. It said in October that it would have a demonstration fleet of Dodge Charger Daytonas on the STLA Large platform on the road in 2026. Hyundai and Kia also announced their partnership with Factorial in 2021 with an undisclosed investment. They plan to start vehicle testing this year and are aiming for a production date of 2030. Other automakers have given varying time frames for solid-state batteries. BMW said last week that the technology was still too expensive to commercialize and would focus on developing lithium-ion batteries. Martin Schuster, BMW's vice president of next-generation battery technologies, said it would be eight years before solid-state batteries became necessary, according to a report in Autocar magazine. Renault, which several years ago announced a partnership with Airbus on solid-state batteries, is now focusing on cobalt-free lithium ion batteries, although it says solid state remains a goal. Volkswagen Group is working on solid-state batteries through a partnership with U.S.-based QuantumScape. Toyota has been testing solid-state batteries in vehicles for several years, and has said that it will have 'limited production' of solid-state EVs in 2025. BYD, the Chinese EV giant that makes its own battery cells, said recently that it would introduce solid-state batteries in 2027, with mass production by 2030.
