For years, we've been hearing about the game-changing potential for solid-state batteries, which promise higher energy density and faster recharging rates. While there has been plenty of hype around these more advanced batteries, we've still not seen them in production-spec cars in the U.S.
Now, however, solid-state batteries just got one step closer, with Stellantis announcing that it has fitted a Dodge Charger Daytona test vehicle with a solid-state pack from Factorial to begin real-world testing. Stellantis and Factorial first announced their intentions for a test fleet of solid-state-equipped Charger Daytonas last fall, saying the program would begin in 2026, and now the automaker has confirmed that the road-testing program has begun.
View Price on AmazonThe Charger Daytona prototype features Factorial's FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) battery, the first time solid-state cells have been integrated into a Stellantis vehicle. In 2025, the two companies demonstrated a claimed energy density of 375 watt-hours per kilogram, the ability to recharge from 15 to 90 percent in just 18 minutes, and reliability at temperatures ranging from -22 degrees Fahrenheit to 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stellantis says the solid-state FEST cells were integrated into the existing battery pack using a new mechanical architecture, with the company also reworking the control systems and pack design for better performance without sacrificing safety or durability. Stellantis didn't say how long the testing program will run for or when to expect to see Factorial solid-state batteries in production vehicles, although several companies have promised them by 2030.
Source: caranddriver.com
