Stellantis to test new battery technology for future high-end models

While 2024 marks a complex year for the electric car market, Stellantis continues to make progress on its Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan. Although some models that were to be 100 % electric, such as the Fiat 600, Fiat 500, as well as the future Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia, are finally available in hybrid versions, the Group remains determined to achieve its goal of an all-electric range by 2030. This transition is crucial for comply with European legislationwhich will require the exclusive sale of electric vehicles from 2035.

With this in mind, Stellantis has taken another key step in battery technology. The group has announced its partnership with Factorial Inc. a pioneer in the development of solid-state batteries. These batteries are considered to be the next great revolution in the automotive industry, will be tested in a fleet of demonstration vehicles by 2026starting with the Dodge Charger Daytona based on the STLA Large platform.

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stla-large-giulia
STLA Large

The technology of solid-state batteries promises to outperform the lithium-ion batteries currently used in most electric vehicles. With an energy density of over 390 Wh/kg, the batteries developed by Factorial offer significant advantages: extended range (800 to 900 km) compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, a weight reduction (- 100 kg) of vehicles, equipment enhanced performance and a potential long-term cost reduction. These features are particularly important for the high-end and sporty models that Stellantis wants to equip of this technology, in particular the Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands.

Factorial solid battery

The partnership between Stellantis and Factorial began in 2021 with a strategic investment of $75 million. Since then, the two companies have been working hand in hand to validate and integrate this solid-state battery technology into the Group's future electric models. Factorial's FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) not only enables increase vehicle range by almost 50 %Not only does it improve safety, it can also be easily integrated into existing production lines.

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The first stage of this partnership will take shape with the Dodge Charger Daytona with solid-state batteries on the road as early as 2026. These vehicles will be used to validate the performance of the batteries under real driving conditions, and to ensure their reliability before integrating them into mass production. The STLA Large platform chosen for these testsis a cornerstone of Stellantis' Dare Forward 2030 strategy. It is designed to accommodate large-scale SUVs and sports cars, and is expected to support up to two million vehicles per year. Stellantis announces that brands such as Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo and Maserati will benefit directly from this innovation.

The partnership with Factorial also includes collaborations with manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Kia. Although there's no guarantee that solid-state batteries will be rapidly integrated into the Group's range of top-of-the-range vehicles, they are an important a serious alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Factorial's objective is to start marketing its batteries. before 2030.

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