Stellantis continues advancement in aerodynamics testing and future solid-state EV battery
By onAnnouncements | Market Trends | Technology
Stellantis has unveiled its $29.5 million “Moving Ground Plane (MGP)” technology housed in the automaker’s research and technical center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and begun the next phase of its electric vehicle solid-state battery partnership with Factorial.
The MGP is a test environment to simulate a vehicle in motion that includes an upgraded wind tunnel. The tunnel can measure and reduce airflow resistance from wheels and tires, which can account for up to 10% of total real-world aerodynamic drag, according to a Stellantis press release.
“Optimizing aerodynamic efficiency is crucial in the effort to extend the driving range of electrified vehicles on a single charge,” the release said. “This enhancement directly contributes to improved efficiency, benefiting customers with longer EV ranges and potentially reducing battery sizes, which in turn could lead to cost and weight savings.”
Mark Champine, senior vice president and head of North America engineering technical centers, said range is a core consideration for customers considering the transition to “cleaner mobility through battery power.”
“That’s what makes this investment so critical,” he said. “By reducing drag, we improve electric-vehicle range and, ultimately, the overall customer driving experience.”
The upgrade to the company’s aero-acoustic wind tunnel simulates real-world travel while allowing test vehicles to remain static. Belts suspended by cushions of air enable wheel movement at all four corners while a fifth belt runs longitudinally beneath the vehicle, mimicking on-road travel conditions, the release says.
“For EVs, a range increase enabled by improved aerodynamics can lead to potential battery-size reductions,” said Champine. “This has positive implications from more efficient packaging-to-weight savings that, in the end, will enhance the customer experience.
“This apparatus is a great addition to virtual tools, which may not account for factors such as tire deformation that can compromise aerodynamics. With this technology, we can replicate such conditions and capture real-time data to explore solutions.”
Stellantis says the technology will benefit several of its brands, regardless of where they’re sold or how they’re powered, and will gain from aerodynamic optimization, automation capability, and real-time data collection.
Changes to wheelbase and track testing, which can take as much as two hours in conventional wind tunnels, can now be done in minutes, according to the release.
The combined outcome of real-time data collection and increased automation will mean increased speed to market, the release says.
While Stellantis uses MGP technology at other facilities around the world, those sites are focused on smaller vehicle platforms. The upgraded Auburn Hills facility will be capable of accommodating larger vehicles, particularly those based on the STLA Large and STLA Frame platforms.
MGP technology is a key enabler in the development of BEVs, as outlined in the company’s “Dare Forward 2030” strategic plan, and will account for 50% of Stellantis U.S. sales and 100% of European sales by 2030. Globally, Stellantis aims to offer more than 75 BEVs by that time, accounting for 5 million vehicles sold annually, the release says.
The upgraded facility is part of an estimated $85 million commitment included in the 2019 UAW contract including a new annex for staging test vehicles and outbuilding to support the MGP system. The system uses high-pressure compressed air to drive the wheel and center belts at speeds up to 140 mph and is carefully controlled by electromechanical actuators, Stellantis said.
Stellantis also announced the next phase of its partnership with Factorial to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation EVs powered by Factorial’s solid-state battery technology.
Stellantis initially made a $75 million investment in Factorial in 2021.
Stellantis will launch a demonstration fleet of all-new Dodge Charger Daytona vehicles by 2026 equipped with Factorial’s solid-state batteries, according to a joint press release from the companies.
Factorial will supply Stellantis with cells based on its proprietary FEST solid-state battery technology, which enables a specific energy density of over 390 Wh/kg, the release says.
The companies say FEST offers higher energy density, reduced weight, improved performance, and the potential for further reduction in total vehicle cost over time compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Stellantis has selected the STLA Large multi-energy platform for the technology due to its focus on high-volume electric SUVs and performance vehicles. The STLA Large platform is used by Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati.
“This demonstration fleet is an important milestone in our partnership with Factorial,” said Ned Curic, Stellantis’ chief engineering and technology officer, in the release. “By integrating Factorial’s innovative battery solution into the STLA Large platform, we are validating its potential to enhance our electric vehicle lineup, ensuring customers benefit from improved performance, longer driving ranges, and faster charging times in the coming years.”
Siyu Huang, Factorial’s CEO and co-founder added, “We are honored to be part of this journey with Stellantis to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. We believe solid-state technology can play a crucial role in enabling the next generation of EVs with improved performance and reduced costs.”
Images
Featured image: Stellantis will launch a demonstration fleet of all-new Dodge Charger Daytona vehicles by 2026 equipped with Factorial’s FEST solid-state battery technology. (Photo: Stellantis/Business Wire)
A front view of a test vehicle in the wind tunnel at Stellantis’ research and technical center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (Provided by Stellantis)