Can Solid-State Batteries Finally Make EVs Practical?

Could a battery finally make electric vehicles (EVs) practical enough to forget gasoline forever? Imagine plugging in your electric car, grabbing a quick coffee, and returning to find it fully charged, ready for another 600-mile journey. It might sound like wishful thinking, but Stellantis and Factorial Energy made that dream one step closer to reality.

Stellantis, a giant automaker behind brands like Jeep, Ram, and Peugeot, recently celebrated a key breakthrough alongside Factorial Energy. Together, they validated an automotive-scale solid-state battery with a stunning 375Wh/kg energy density. These batteries are lighter, store more energy, and recharge at blistering speeds.

Most current electric cars use lithium-ion batteries, powerful but with well-known limitations. They’re heavy, slow to charge, and vulnerable to overheating. Solid-state batteries, however, swap out the volatile liquid electrolyte for a safer, solid version, enabling quicker charging, lighter weight, and improved range. And these aren’t minor improvements; they’re game-changing.

Factorial’s FEST® technology (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) is at the heart of this breakthrough, allowing batteries to charge from 15% to over 90% in just 18 minutes. Forget overnight charges, this could genuinely make EV charging as quick as refueling at a gas station.

“Battery development is usually about trade-offs. But balancing fast charging, safety, and high capacity in one practical battery, that’s the real breakthrough,” says Siyu Huang, Factorial Energy’s CEO. And she’s not exaggerating.

Solid-state batteries aren’t new in theory, but getting them into actual cars has been tough. They typically perform poorly in cold or hot conditions and struggle to maintain longevity and safety under real-world stresses. Factorial and Stellantis tackled these issues head-on. Their new batteries comfortably operate between -22°F to 113°F, a wide range that easily covers daily driving needs from freezing winters in Michigan to scorching summers in Arizona.

Even better, these cells deliver a high-power output, handling intense performance demands without compromising stability. Essentially, this means your future electric Jeep could handle off-roading just as well as a long interstate trip.

Behind the scenes, Factorial Energy’s story is about patience, grit, and incremental progress. CEO Siyu Huang and her husband Alex Yu began their research journey as graduate students at Cornell, deeply motivated by their childhood experiences witnessing severe air pollution in China. After years in labs perfecting materials, the first practical tests began with industry giants like Mercedes-Benz and now Stellantis.

This collaborative spirit, careful engineering, and real-world testing have moved the technology from lab curiosity to a genuine automotive application. Stellantis sees the potential clearly: by 2026, they’ll integrate Factorial’s solid-state batteries into demonstration vehicles, marking a critical milestone toward mass production.

“We’re not just proving a theory,” emphasizes Ned Curic, Chief Engineering Officer at Stellantis. “We’re building practical solutions that reduce weight, improve range, and lower the cost, exactly what drivers need to truly embrace EVs.”

Of course, solid-state batteries aren’t without hurdles. Mass production is notoriously challenging. Initially, Factorial’s pilot factory struggled, with an early 10% yield, meaning most batteries failed quality checks. Through persistent effort and continuous adjustments, yields improved dramatically to 85%, a huge leap forward that makes scaling economically feasible.

Mercedes-Benz’s engineers also innovatively addressed battery “breathing” expansion and contraction during charge cycles using flexible housings inspired by Formula 1 technology. Creative, practical solutions like these are proving solid-state battery skeptics wrong.

Why does this matter to everyday drivers? Solid-state batteries could finally remove key barriers preventing wider EV adoption: charging speed, driving range, and overall cost. Faster charging times mean EVs fit seamlessly into daily life. Improved energy density translates to lighter, cheaper vehicles. Safer chemistry means fewer recalls and less consumer anxiety.

At a global level, transportation remains a top source of harmful emissions. Electrifying more vehicles with genuinely practical battery tech directly reduces air pollution and greenhouse gases. It’s not just a technical advancement, it’s a meaningful step toward a cleaner planet.

Want to be part of this exciting transition? Start by keeping up with emerging EV technology. When buying your next vehicle, ask about solid-state options, pushing automakers to move quicker. Support policies that encourage battery innovation and infrastructure investment. Every informed choice nudges the world closer to cleaner roads and skies.

As Stellantis and Factorial gear up to roll out demonstration fleets by 2026, eyes will watch closely. Can these batteries handle real-world driving conditions? Will mass production keep up?

One thing’s clear: the shift to solid-state batteries isn’t just about better cars but a better future.

So, will your next car make gasoline feel outdated?