Karma Automotive has announced a significant collaboration with solid-state battery developer Factorial, aiming to establish the first solid-state battery production program in the United States for passenger vehicles. This partnership will see Factorial’s proprietary FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) cells integrated into Karma’s upcoming vehicle architecture, beginning with the all-electric Kaveya super-coupe.
Kaveya Super-Coupe Gets Next-Generation Power
The Kaveya, a vehicle engineered to deliver over 1,000 horsepower and achieve a top speed exceeding 200 mph, is slated for a late 2027 release. This revised timeline follows an earlier postponement in 2025. Karma Automotive CEO Marques McCammon stated, “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.” He added, “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.”
Scalable Technology for Rapid Integration
A key advantage of Factorial’s FEST technology is its manufacturing flexibility. The company reports that its FEST cells can be produced utilizing up to 80 percent of existing lithium-ion manufacturing equipment, significantly reducing the need for entirely new production facilities. This compatibility is expected to facilitate a rapid scale-up of the production program with Karma.
Factorial CEO Siyu Huang emphasized the technology’s readiness for mass production, stating, “FEST was built to scale.” She further commented, “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 currently collaborates with several other major automotive manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Hyundai, and Kia.
