Karma Automotive & Factorial First U.S. Solid-State Battery
Karma Automotive and Factorial Inc. have entered a strategic partnership to initiate the first domestic solid-state battery production program for passenger vehicles. The agreement centers on the integration of Factorial’s FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) into Karma’s proprietary vehicle architecture. The initial application of this solid-state platform will be the Kaveya super-coupe, a 1,000-plus horsepower ultra-luxury vehicle capable of speeds exceeding 200 mph. Delivery of the FEST-equipped Kaveya is currently projected for late 2027.
The FEST electrolyte system is engineered to surpass the performance and safety limitations of traditional lithium-ion batteries by offering higher energy density and improved vehicle efficiency. Industrially, the FEST platform allows for rapid commercialization by utilizing up to 80 percent of existing lithium-ion manufacturing equipment, bypassing the need for entirely new production lines. This compatibility is a critical factor in Factorial’s ability to scale production within Karma’s U.S.-based engineering and manufacturing facilities.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the domestic battery supply chain, validating solid-state technology within a high-performance passenger vehicle environment. Karma leadership cited the partnership as a solution to previous launch delays, providing a stable pathway for high-performance electrified drive systems. The program positions both companies as leaders in the transition to next-generation battery technology while maintaining a 100 percent American engineering and design footprint.
Electrify America Record 2025 Growth
Electrify America reported strong momentum in 2025, with drivers completing more than 20 million charging sessions across its U.S. network, a 21% increase from the previous year. Total energy delivered rose 26% to more than 750 gigawatt-hours, underscoring accelerating adoption of electric vehicles. Growth was driven by the company’s three-pronged strategy—Charge First, Charge Easy and Charge Forward—focused on network expansion, seamless customer experience and future-facing innovation. Key milestones included opening two large-format charging stations with more than 20 chargers each in California and upgrading over 1,100 chargers to next-generation technology. As it approaches its 10-year anniversary, Electrify America positions itself not just as a charging provider, but as a backbone of confidence for a growing community of EV drivers nationwide.
QuantumScape Opens Eagle Line
QuantumScape inaugurated its newly installed Eagle Line at its San Jose facility, hosting automotive OEM customers, partners, and government officials for a first look at the production platform. The highly automated line integrates equipment, materials, and processes—including the company’s proprietary and scalable Cobra process for manufacturing its solid-state separator—and is designed as the blueprint for future production of QuantumScape technology. Once fully ramped, the Eagle Line will produce battery cells for customer sampling, testing, and integration, while also demonstrating scalable manufacturing to support licensing partners targeting gigawatt-hour production. The line will further serve as a development platform for ongoing process and technology improvements, marking a key milestone in QuantumScape’s path toward commercialization of solid-state lithium-metal batteries.
New Wrongful‑Death Lawsuit Alleges Tesla Door Handles Trapped Driver
A wrongful‑death lawsuit filed in federal court in Massachusetts alleges that a 20‑year‑old man died after being trapped inside his Tesla Model Y when the vehicle’s electronic door handles failed to operate following a crash and subsequent fire. According to the complaint, the driver survived the initial collision but was unable to exit the burning car because the electrically powered handles did not extend, and he ultimately succumbed to smoke inhalation and thermal injuries while calling 911 for help. The suit asserts that Tesla’s flush, power‑dependent door handle design is defective and difficult to use in emergencies, echoing other legal actions and prompting scrutiny by U.S. safety regulators over multiple fatal incidents with similar door‑handle failures.