Q&A

Start-up battery developer Factorial Energy's workforce of engineers, chemists and other technology specialists has topped 100 with recent hirings in the Asia-Pacific region. A pilot manufacturing plant for the firm's solid-state lithium-metal batteries is slated to launch later this year. And, Hyundai Motor Co., Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz have invested in the Woburn, Massachusetts-based company and its proprietary Factorial Electrolyte System Technology, trademarked FEST. CEO Siyu Huang recently spoke with SAE Media's Kami Buchholz. Condensed highlights of the interview: