Stellantis and Factorial Inc (Factorial) unveiled a next chapter in their partnership to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) powered by Factorial’s solid-state battery technology.
This initiative builds upon the 1 billion rand investment Stellantis made in Factorial in 2021.
Stellantis will launch a demonstration fleet of all-new Dodge Charger Daytona vehicles by 2026 equipped with Factorial’s solid-state batteries, marking a key next step in the commercialisation of this promising technology. This demonstration fleet will enable the validation of Factorial’s technology and the assessment of its performance in real-world driving conditions.
Factorial will supply Stellantis with cells based on its proprietary FEST® solid-state battery technology, which enables a specific energy density of over 390 Wh/kg. Factorial’s FEST® offers substantial advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries, including higher energy density, reduced weight, improved performance and a potential for further reduction in total vehicle cost over time. This makes it an ideal candidate for powering next-generation EVs.
Stellantis has selected the STLA Large multi-energy platform for this innovative technology owing to its focus on high-volume electric SUVs and performance vehicles. The STLA Large platform, a cornerstone of Stellantis’s 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.
“This demonstration fleet is an important milestone in our partnership with Factorial,” says 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 line-up, ensuring customers benefit from improved performance, longer driving ranges and faster charging times in the coming years.”
“We are honoured to be part of this journey with Stellantis to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles,” says Siyu Huang, Factorial’s CEO and Co-Founder. “We believe solid-state technology can play a crucial role in enabling the next generation of EVs with improved performance and reduced costs.”
As South Africans keep their vehicles for longer, aftersales service and dealership experience are becoming critical drivers of long-term brand loyalty, according to Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
Wayve, Uber and Nissan announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the development of robotaxis and commence activities to realize the deployment of robotaxi services.
A Hino 300 714, bought new in 2018 from Pupkewitz Hino in Windhoek, continues to provide reliable service after recording more than a million kilometres traversing a variety of roads in remote, rural areas and urban centres in Namibia.
Advertisement
Advertisement
You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
Unknown
Volvo Cars has introduced the new ES90 in South Africa, positioning it as the brand’s fully electric flagship sedan.
Tesla’s official arrival in Morocco marks a pivotal chapter in the company’s global expansion, introducing the Model 3 and Model Y to African consumers for the first time.
The global race to commercialise solid-state batteries (SSBs) is intensifying, with major vehicle manufacturers and start-ups announcing significant milestones as they edge closer to bringing the technology into production vehicles.
