Karma Automotive Inc and Factorial Inc on Thursday announced the launch of what they described as the first solid-state battery production program in the United States aimed at passenger vehicles, marking a step toward domestic commercialization of next-generation battery technology.
The collaboration will see Factorial’s FEST solid-state battery cells integrated into Karma Automotive’s next-generation vehicle platform, starting with the all-electric Karma Kaveya super-coupe, which is scheduled to enter the U.S. market in late 2027. The companies said the vehicle is designed to deliver more than 1,000 horsepower and a top speed above 200 miles per hour.
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By combining Karma’s U.S.-based vehicle engineering and manufacturing with Factorial’s domestically developed battery technology, the companies aim to strengthen the American electric vehicle supply chain and validate solid-state batteries in a production passenger vehicle. Solid-state batteries are widely viewed as a potential successor to conventional lithium-ion cells, offering higher energy density and improved efficiency.
“Karma Automotive was imagined to push the boundaries of what the ultra-luxury vehicle experience can be,” said Marques McCammon, president and chief executive of Karma Automotive. He said the company delayed the Kaveya’s launch in 2025 after determining it had not yet found a technology path that met its performance targets. “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,” McCammon said.
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Factorial said its FEST technology is designed to be compatible with existing lithium-ion battery factories, allowing up to 80% of current manufacturing equipment to be reused. The company said this approach could enable faster scale-up and lower barriers to commercial production.
“Launching our first U.S. passenger-vehicle program with Karma is a meaningful milestone for Factorial,” said Siyu Huang, chief executive of Factorial. “FEST was built to scale, and this milestone not only highlights the energy and performance solid-state technology can deliver but also underscores the global leadership of U.S. technology innovators,” she added.
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The partnership comes as U.S. automakers and suppliers seek to localize advanced battery technologies amid growing competition from Asia and Europe. By deploying solid-state cells in a limited-volume ultra-luxury vehicle, the companies aim to demonstrate the technology’s viability before broader adoption across electric and hybrid vehicle segments.
