Karma Automotive and solid-state battery developer Factorial have announced what they describe as the first solid-state battery production program in the US for passenger vehicles. Factorial’s FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) cells will be integrated into Karma’s next-generation vehicle platform, starting with the all-electric Kaveya super-coupe—a 1,000+ hp vehicle with a top speed exceeding 200 mph, scheduled for late 2027.
Karma had originally planned an earlier launch for the Kaveya but delayed it in 2025. “We did not yet see a clear path to fully delivering the uncompromising driving experience that should be expected from an American ultra-luxury vehicle company,” said CEO Marques McCammon. “Now through the partnership with Factorial and the integration of FEST, we can not only deliver that experience, but also open a pathway to stronger, more stable electrified drive systems.”
A notable aspect of Factorial’s technology is its manufacturing compatibility. According to the company, FEST cells can be produced using up to 80 percent of existing lithium-ion manufacturing equipment, rather than requiring entirely new production lines. Factorial says this enables rapid scale-up of the production program with Karma.
“FEST was built to scale,” said Factorial CEO Siyu Huang. “This milestone not only highlights the energy and performance solid-state technology can deliver but also underscores the global leadership of US technology innovators.”
Factorial’s other automotive partners include Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Hyundai and Kia.
Source: Karma Automotive
