Summary
- Massachusetts-based Factorial has developed a process for manufacturing solid-state battery cells suitable for electric vehicles and mass production.
- The company has scaled sample cells to an "automotive-relevant" 40-amp-hour capacity using a dry-coating process to maximize energy density and minimize operating costs and environmental impact.
- The dry coating process eliminates hazardous solvents, reduces energy use, and eliminates the need for a formation process used with liquid-electrolyte chemistries.
- Factorial has established the dry coating process using customized equipment at its development center in Massachusetts, with plans to scale up production at battery factories in 2023.
- Automakers including Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis have invested in Factorial, with Stellantis planning to test Factorial’s solid-state cells in Dodge Charger Daytona EVs starting in 2026, showing promising progress towards commercially relevant volumes.
Article
Factorial, a Massachusetts-based company, has developed a process for manufacturing solid-state battery cells in sizes suitable for electric vehicles that is close to being ready for mass production. The company has been providing test cells to automakers and recently announced that it had successfully scaled up sample cells to a 40-amp-hour capacity, which is considered “automotive-relevant”. Factorial’s process uses a dry-coating method that maximizes energy density while minimizing costs and environmental impact. This process eliminates hazardous solvents, and the solid-state chemistry eliminates the need for a formation process, resulting in reduced energy use.
The dry-coating process developed by Factorial is said to be less energy-intensive than conventional manufacturing processes and has the potential for commercial scalability. Customized equipment was used at the company’s Massachusetts development center to establish the process, providing a template for future manufacturing at larger battery factories. Factorial has already achieved over 2,000 charge and discharge cycles with smaller prototype cells, demonstrating durability. The company also has plans to open a battery factory in 2023 to further expand its production capabilities.
Factorial has attracted investments from major automakers such as Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis. The company has collaborated with Mercedes-Benz on developing cells that could potentially increase vehicle range by up to 80% due to greater energy density. Stellantis, another investor in Factorial, plans to test the company’s solid-state cells in a fleet of Dodge Charger Daytona EVs starting in 2026. This partnership with Stellantis demonstrates the growing interest from automakers in adopting solid-state battery technology to improve the performance and efficiency of electric vehicles.
Toyota is another automaker that has expressed interest in solid-state batteries, with plans to start manufacturing them in 2026 or shortly thereafter. Factorial’s progress towards manufacturing solid-state batteries in commercially relevant volumes could help drive the adoption of this technology in the automotive industry. The company’s innovative approach to battery production, including the use of a dry-coating process and solid-state chemistry, sets it apart from traditional manufacturers and positions it as a leader in advancing battery technology for electric vehicles.
With the support of key investors and partnerships with automakers like Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis, Factorial is well-positioned to disrupt the battery industry and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. The company’s focus on maximizing energy density, minimizing costs, and reducing environmental impact aligns with the goals of sustainable transportation. By providing automakers with advanced solid-state battery technology, Factorial aims to drive innovation in the EV market and contribute to a more efficient and sustainable future for transportation.
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