Dodge Charger Daytona to Feature Solid-State Battery in Demonstration Fleet
Stellantis is set to launch a demonstration fleet of the Dodge Charger Daytona, outfitted with solid-state batteries developed by Factorial, by 2026. This initiative aims to assess the performance of these batteries in real-world driving situations.
The collaboration between Stellantis and Factorial marks a significant step in advancing solid-state battery technology and is a continuation of their partnership following Stellantis' $75 million investment in Factorial in 2021. Mercedes-Benz also participated in this investment round.
While Stellantis has announced the intention to deploy a demonstration fleet of Charger Daytona models featuring solid-state batteries by 2026, the exact number of vehicles in this fleet has not yet been disclosed. The primary goal is to evaluate Factorial's technology rather than to launch a production model at this time.
The Dodge Charger Daytona, an electric muscle car built on the STLA Large platform, was introduced by Dodge earlier this year, with pricing announced for the U.S. market in August. Production will take place at the Windsor facility in Ontario, Canada, starting with a two-door version this year and a four-door variant in early 2025. However, Stellantis has clarified that the vehicle is not currently available for orders, and official consumption and emissions data are yet to be provided.
Stellantis believes the STLA Large platform is ideally suited for the solid-state battery demonstration due to its design for high-volume electric SUVs and performance vehicles. The platform is a key component of Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 strategy, supporting multiple brands, including Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati, with a production capacity of up to two million vehicles globally.
Factorial will supply Stellantis with battery cells utilizing its proprietary 'FEST' technology, which boasts a specific energy density of approximately 390 Wh/kg. Compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, these solid-state cells offer higher energy density, reduced weight, enhanced performance, and potential cost savings over time.
Siyu Huang, CEO and co-founder of Factorial, expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of solid-state technology in advancing the next generation of electric vehicles with better performance and lower costs.
Ned Curic, Stellantis' Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, highlighted the demonstration fleet as a critical milestone in their partnership with Factorial, noting its potential to improve their electric vehicle offerings through enhanced performance, longer ranges, and quicker charging times.
Additionally, Factorial's partnership with Mercedes-Benz is yielding results, with recent updates on a solid-state battery developed in collaboration with Mercedes, anticipated to hit the market by the end of the decade. Mercedes is serving as both a development partner and key customer in this collaboration.
Factorial's partnerships extend beyond Stellantis and Mercedes, including support from Hyundai-Kia. The company opened its first development and production facility near Boston in fall 2023, which will be the largest solid-state battery production line in the U.S. with a capacity of 200 MWh. This facility's funding is partly from a $200 million financing round led by Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz in early 2022.
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