# Stellantis Achieves Solid-State Battery Breakthrough: 18-Minute Fast Charging on the Horizon

## Stellantis Achieves Solid-State Battery Breakthrough: 18-Minute Fast Charging on the Horizon

Stellantis, the automotive giant behind brands like Jeep, Dodge, and Ram, is making significant strides in the development of solid-state battery technology. Partnering with startup Factorial, Stellantis has successfully validated these new batteries for automotive use, paving the way for their installation in a demonstrator fleet as early as 2026. This advancement promises faster charging speeds, increased energy density, and potentially longer ranges for future electric vehicles.

The current generation of electric vehicles predominantly relies on lithium-ion batteries containing liquid electrolytes. Solid-state batteries, however, replace this liquid with a solid electrolyte, offering several potential advantages. One of the most compelling is the potential for dramatically faster charging.

Stellantis and Factorial are touting their Factorial Electrolyte System Technology (FEST) as a game-changer. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, FEST batteries boast higher energy density, enabling faster charging. In fact, they claim a charging time of just 18 minutes to go from 15% to 90% capacity at room temperature. The technology utilizes a lithium-metal anode, a quasi-solid electrolyte, and a high-capacity cathode.

According to Stellantis, their 77Ah FEST cells have demonstrated an impressive energy density of 375Wh/kg with over 600 charging cycles. This, they say, marks a significant milestone for large-format lithium-metal solid-state batteries. Beyond rapid charging, the batteries can also deliver higher power output, with discharge rates up to 4C, translating to enhanced EV performance.

Factorial’s technology also demonstrates resilience across a wide range of temperatures, performing optimally in conditions ranging from -30°C to 45°C (-22°F to 113°F). This robust performance is crucial for ensuring reliable operation in diverse climates.

“Battery development is about compromise,” said Siyu Huang, CEO of Factorial Energy. “While optimizing 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 isn’t the only automotive manufacturer investing in solid-state battery technology. Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz are also investors in Factorial, with Mercedes aiming to have semi-solid-state batteries on the road in EVs by 2026. Honda has plans to introduce solid-state EVs in the latter half of the decade, and Toyota aims to mass-produce solid-state batteries enabling over 621 miles of range by 2028. Volkswagen is collaborating with Quantum State and has achieved its own milestone in solid-state battery development.

However, the US faces stiff competition from China, where companies like CATL and BYD are pushing the boundaries of fast-charging technology, even teasing EVs capable of charging in as little as five minutes. The race is on to develop and deploy the next generation of battery technology, and Stellantis’ progress with solid-state batteries represents a significant step forward.