- Stellantis to test Factorial solid-state battery on public roads by 2026
- Battery to be tested in Dodge Charger Daytona
- Production expected later this decade
A fleet of Dodge Charger Daytona electric vehicles fitted with solid-state batteries developed in partnership with America's Factorial will start testing on public roads by 2026, Dodge parent company Stellantis announced on Wednesday.
Massachusetts-based Factorial counts Stellantis as an investor, alongside other automakers like Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz. It has been developing solid-state batteries for the past decade (previously as Lionano) and appears to be on track to having them in production this decade.
Mercedes in September said it expects to have cars with Factorial solid-state batteries in production by the end of the decade, and said EVs with the batteries could have up to 80% more range compared to today's average.
Stellantis is looking to install the batteries in its STLA Large platform initially. The platform, which also supports gas powertrains, is found in the latest Charger and is destined for multiple vehicles from Stellantis' various brands. The platform is earmarked for larger SUV models and high-performance vehicles, Stellantis said.
STLA Large platform
The batteries Stellantis will test have an energy density of more than 0.39 kwh per kilogram (approximately 2.2 pounds), which is approaching double the density of current lithium-ion batteries. This has the potential to result in lighter EVs that charge faster and deliver more range.
The batteries, which derive their name from their solid electrolytes, also promise improved safety as they're less prone to overheating. Although the technology isn't new, scaling up production has proven more challenging than anticipated for automakers and battery manufacturers.
“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," Ned Curic, Stellantis' chief engineering and technology officer, said in a statement.
The Charger Daytona is the electric version of the redesigned Dodge Charger, which arrived for the 2024 model year as the replacement for both the previous Charger as well as the Challenger. The Charger Daytona is initially offered in R/T and Scat Pack forms, priced from $61,590 and $75,185, respectively. They both feature a 100.5-kwh (93.5-kwh usable) lithium-ion battery estimated to deliver up to 317 miles of range in the R/T and 260 miles in the Scat Pack.
