Hyundai and Kia partner with US company on solid-state battery tech

Hyundai has announced it has entered a partnership with Factorial Energy to test and develop solid-state batteries for its future electric models.

While Factorial has been working on solid-state battery technology for the past six years, under the Joint Development Agreement, the US-based company will receive a financial investment with the aim to integrate the tech into Hyundai and Kia cars.

All major carmakers are rushing to bring solid-state batteries to market, as they are considered an important and significant next-step in the progression of electric vehicles – improving driving range, weight, charging times, and safety.

“Our partnership with Hyundai is yet another validation of our solid-state battery technology, and we look forward to demonstrating its market readiness in Hyundai vehicles,” said Factorial Energy CEO Dr Siyu Huang.

“We can help unlock mass adoption of electric vehicles – and the resulting environmental benefits – through our safe and long-range batteries.”

Factorial is led by former senior executives from Mercedes-Benz, Ford, and Panasonic, as well as a senior advisor to the Obama Administration’s Presidential Task Force on the auto industry.

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In January, Business Insider Germany reported Martin Winterkorn Jr – son of the former Volkswagen boss of the same name who resigned at the height of the Dieselgate scandal – had turned down a job at Apple to work at American solid-state battery company QuantumScape, with financial backing from Volkswagen Group.

Meanwhile, Ford and BMW have put their combined force behind Solid Power, and Mercedes-Benz has partnered with Canadian company Hydro-Québec as it trials buses powered by the batteries.

In early September, Toyota showed a short video of a concept car powered by solid-state technology, as part of an announcement of US$13.6 billion (AU$18bn) investment in battery development this decade.