In two years, Stellantis is set to enter the EV market yet again—this time with a different type of battery. Dodge is one brand that sits under the company’s umbrella of large-sized vehicles, and thanks to a partnership with battery manufacturer Factorial, in 2026 customers can expect to shop a line of Dodge Charger Daytonas that are powered by solid-state batteries.
Stellantis’ New Dodge Model
The newly announced collaboration between Stellantis and Factorial is zeroing in on creating safe and effective solid-state batteries within Dodge Charger Daytonas. Although these cars already exist in an EV format, this will be a major change to their power source.
The current batteries are lithium-ion based, whereas the new models will house solid-state versions.The largest differences being that the new batteries arelighter, charge faster, and hold more power. They’re also noted to be safer and more reliable.
A Frenzy for Factorial Batteries
Stellantis isn’t the only auto manufacturer that’s interested in using Factorial’s solid-state batteries. In September, the company announced it was working on bringing itsSolsticebattery to consumers. This project was done in tandem with Mercedes-Benz, a manufacturer that provided $200 million worth of investment for these new batteries.Hyundaiis another familiar name that’s been working with Factorial on better batteries for automobiles since 2021.
Solid-State Battery Technology
There are several ways in which solid-state batteries differ from othertypes of EV batteriesin terms of how they function. Firstly, their involvement of electrolytes uses a solid-state electrolyte as opposed to a gel or liquid format.
Although they’re more expensive and still in development, their benefits seemingly outweigh the downsides. They’re much less likely to explode or start fires than other EV batteries, they hold more energy density, and they tend to last far longer.
The Focus on EV Power
There has been a noticeable push in improving EV batteries in the last couple of years, specifically in ways that make them more affordable, efficient, long-lasting, and accessible when it comes to price. From Tesla to GM, manufacturers are extremely keen to find improved battery systems and structures.
What makes Factorial stand out is the solid-state technology, especially as the company claims it’s possible to implement its system into factories that have been manufacturing lithium-ion batteries. This, plus the advantages of better charging, more power, and safer operation, has put Factorial and its batteries in the spotlight.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Zoran Karapancev
