Solid-state batteries are set to revolutionize electric vehicles, and Stellantis has announced their inclusion in the Dodge Charger Daytona in 2026. However, these models will merely form a demonstration fleet, so don’t get too excited just yet.
The prototypes will feature Factorial solid-state batteries with an energy density exceeding 390 Wh/kg. While the companies didn’t reveal many other details, they did state that the batteries offer “significant advantages” over traditional lithium-ion batteries, including “higher energy density, reduced weight, improved performance, and the potential to further lower total vehicle costs over time.”
This is a winning combination, so the two companies are taking the next step toward commercialization. As part of this effort, the prototypes will be used to validate the battery technology and assess performance in real-world driving conditions.
Stellantis invested $75 million in Factorial in 2021, and the company’s Chief Technology Officer, Ned Curic, said: “By integrating Factorial’s innovative battery solution into our STLA Large platform, we are validating the potential of this technology to enhance our electric vehicle line-up, ensuring customers benefit from improved performance, longer range, and faster charging times in the years to come.”
[Image of the Dodge Charger Daytona]
In other news, Stellantis has unveiled a state-of-the-art wind tunnel with “moving ground” technology at its research and development center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The automaker stated that the upgraded tunnel will enable them to “measure and reduce the aerodynamic drag from wheels and tires, which can account for up to 10% of total aerodynamic drag in the real world.”
This promises to make future electric vehicles more aerodynamic, increasing their range or allowing for smaller, cheaper batteries. In addition to the focus on aerodynamics, there are technological advancements, including automation capabilities. As the automaker explained, “changes in wheelbase and track testing, which could take up to two hours in a conventional wind tunnel, can now be performed in a matter of minutes.”
With a presence in North America, it’s no surprise that this wind tunnel focuses on the super-sized vehicles based on the STLA Large and STLA Frame platforms.
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