Factorial Energy and Solid-State Batteries
Factorial Energy is rallying a team of suppliers to bring solid-state batteries to cars. They have partnered with Japanese company Mitsui Kinzoku for joint development of solid electrolytes, building upon existing collaborations with European auto giants like Mercedes and Hyundai.
Two key partners are based in Europe: Mercedes successfully tested its modified EQS with Factorial's cells over 1,200km last year, while ProLogium, a Taiwanese company, is already mass-producing all-solid-state cells in Taiwan at 381 Wh/kg. Another European solid-state champion, nestled in Dunkirk, France, is under construction, backed by France and owned by a Taiwanese company—a testament to the global push towards this technology.
Factorial CEO Siyu Huang emphasizes that battery innovation requires collaboration as no single company can bring all-solid-state batteries to market alone. The company has formed partnerships with Posco Future M, Phil Energy, SK On, Volkswagen's PowerCo, and Hyundai to tackle different aspects of the problem, from anodes and cathodes to manufacturing tools and scaling production.
Their goal is ambitious: Factorial aims for all-solid-state batteries with 450 Wh/kg energy density, roughly doubling current lithium-ion cells. They believe this technology will be ready for volume production in both North America and Europe, with Karma Automotive set to be the first to ship in 2028.
However, critics argue that these timelines are overly optimistic. The all-solid half of the battery is still in its early stages, and mass production faces challenges. While Factorial holds foundational intellectual property for solid electrolytes, other companies like ProLogium are already producing viable all-solid-state cells, indicating a more competitive landscape than previously thought.