Stellantis to start solid state battery road tests in 2026

Stellantis will launch its first test cars equipped with solid state batteries within 14 months.

The parent group of brands ranging from Fiat to Jeep is working with battery specialist Factorial to develop the new cells and plans to put them on the road by the end of 2026.

A fleet of next-generation Dodge Charger Daytonas will be equipped with the solid state batteries as the partners look to test the technology’s performance in real-world driving.

Solid state batteries are seen as the next major leap for electric cars, allowing much greater energy density, faster charging and better durability, as well as being lighter than existing lithium-ion units. Factorial says its solid state batteries have an energy density of more than 390Wh/kg – significantly more than the 270Wh/kg of many current-generation batteries.

Stellantis said that models based on its STLA Large platform will be the first to benefit from the new technology. That includes the Charger as well as SUVs and performance models from Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Chrysler.

“This demonstration fleet is an important milestone in our partnership with Factorial,” said Ned Curic, Stellantis’s chief engineering and technology officer. “By integrating Factorial’s innovative battery solution into the STLA Large platform, we are validating its potential to enhance our electric vehicle lineup, ensuring customers benefit from improved performance, longer driving ranges and faster charging times in the coming years.”

Siyu Huang, cof-ounder and CEO of Factorial, added: “We are honored to be part of this journey with Stellantis to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. We believe solid state technology can play a crucial role in enabling the next generation of EVs with improved performance and reduced costs.”

Several other brands are also working to bring solid state batteries to market quickly. Mercedes is also working with Factorial, Toyota plans to launch solid state-equipped vehicles before 2030 and Nissan is aiming to have its own solid state models on sale by 2028.