Electric vehicle battery with a monitor device plugged in.

Massachusetts battery startup takes major step toward making gas cars obsolete

A small startup in Massachusetts has built and road-tested a solid-state battery that could one day make electric vehicles cheaper, safer, and longer-lasting than gas-powered cars.

Jack Ewing reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Factorial Energy, co-founded by Siyu Huang and Alex Yu, developed a solid-state battery that was recently tested on the road in a Mercedes EQS sedan after more than a decade of research and setbacks.
Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, Factorial’s solid-state version eliminates flammable liquid electrolytes, offering the potential for faster charging, greater range, and improved safety — but also comes with significant manufacturing challenges.
With backing from Mercedes, Hyundai, Stellantis, and LG Chem, the company improved its factory yield from 10% to 85% and plans to begin fleet testing in preparation for potential commercial release by 2028.

Why this matters:

Solid-state batteries represent one of the most promising technologies for reshaping transportation. Today’s electric vehicle batteries rely on flammable liquid components, charge slowly, and weigh a lot. Solid-state batteries could solve all three problems — charging in minutes, traveling longer distances, and dramatically reducing fire risk. They also open the door to lighter vehicles and cleaner air. Yet building them at scale has proven nearly impossible. These cells are sensitive, hard to manufacture consistently, and easily ruined by minor defects. That’s why Factorial’s progress matters: they’ve not only built a battery that works but also manufactured enough of them to put into a moving car. If they or competitors can push the technology into mass production, the ripple effects could be vast.

www.nytimes.com

Massachusetts battery startup takes major step toward making gas cars obsolete

Republicans push to eliminate fines for carmakers that violate fuel economy rules

Vermont defends landmark climate law as Trump administration and oil industry sue

New tax rules risk choking U.S. clean energy projects over China supply links

EPA faces class action lawsuit over canceled environmental justice grants

Amazon’s slow shift toward savannah threatens global climate and food systems

FEMA delays and funding cuts leave state emergency programs in limbo

Colorado River states inch toward deal as Trump administration signals it may intervene

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.