Range anxiety has haunted EV buyers since Tesla’s first Roadster, turning every road trip into a charging station treasure hunt. Factorial Energy and Karma Automotive just announced the cure: America’s first commercial solid-state battery production program, launching with the 1,000-horsepower Karma Kaveya in late 2027.
Ultra-Luxury Meets Next-Gen Tech
The Karma Kaveya transforms solid-state theory into 200+ mph reality.
This isn’t another concept car tease. The Kaveya delivers over 1,000 horsepower and 1,270 lb-ft of torque, hitting 60 mph in under three seconds while maintaining a 250+ mile baseline range. Factorial’s FEST® solid-state technology promises to push that range even higher. Karma CEO Marques McCammon delayed the 2025 launch specifically to integrate this battery breakthrough, calling it the pathway to “stronger, more stable electrified drive systems.”
FEST Technology Delivers Real-World Proof
Mercedes-Benz already drove 745 miles on a single charge using these cells.
Factorial’s quasi-solid-state system offers 500-600 mile range capability with 40% weight reduction compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. The technology works with 80% of existing manufacturing equipment, eliminating the need for entirely new production lines. Mercedes-Benz validated these claims last September, driving a modified EQS over 745 miles without charging—earning their “true game-changer” endorsement.
Manufacturing Momentum Builds Industry Confidence
Global automaker partnerships signal solid-state technology’s commercial viability.
Factorial maintains strategic partnerships with Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Hyundai, and Kia, demonstrating broad industry confidence in FEST® technology. The company plans a Nasdaq listing through a SPAC merger, using proceeds to accelerate commercial production. CEO Siyu Huang emphasized that “FEST® was built to scale,” positioning this milestone as proof of U.S. technological leadership in next-generation batteries.
From Lab Bench to Production Line
Solid-state batteries transition from theoretical advantage to market reality.
This partnership validates what battery researchers have promised for decades: solid-state technology moving beyond laboratory demonstrations into production vehicles. The Kaveya’s ultra-luxury positioning mirrors how Tesla introduced EVs through the high-end Roadster before scaling to mainstream models. This partnership marks the moment solid-state batteries shift from “someday” technology to “late 2027” reality—and the timeline for mainstream adoption just accelerated.
