The brief

Analyst view

• Factorial raised $244M from Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Hyundai and Kia for solid-state battery development.
• FEST delivers 375 Wh/kg energy density, 600+ cycles and 18-minute fast charging.
• Stellantis launched Dodge Charger Daytona demo fleet in 2026; Mercedes and Kia pilots underway for 2026–2027 introduction.

Technical approach

As reported

Anode

Lithium metal, not graphite

Lithium metal anodes store 3.8x more energy per kg than graphite. This is the main reason solid-state batteries are lighter for the same range.

Electrolyte

Quasi-solid electrolyte

Ceramic particles mixed with polymer conducts lithium ions while blocking dendrite growth, better than liquid or fully solid.

Cathode

High-capacity nickel layered oxides

The cathode is a nickel-rich material that stores more energy than the nickel-manganese-cobalt in conventional batteries.

Manufacturing

Scaled production in Methuen, MA

Factorial operates a 200-MWh factory in Methuen, Massachusetts, producing 100+ Ah cells for automotive validation and customer pilots.

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