Stellantis commits to the battery swapping path

A first Stellantis badge project is expected to start in Europe in 2024 through Fiat 500e carsharing fleet by Free2move.

Stellantis and Ample have signed a partnership agreement in the field of electric vehicle (EV) battery charging technology. This involves providing a fully charged electric vehicle battery in less than five minutes. The two partners have agreed to work on integrating Ample’s Modular Battery Swapping solution into Stellantis’ electric vehicles. The principle: swapping out the battery at a dedicated station when the customer arrives, replacing it with a fully charged battery in just a few minutes.

The initial program is expected to launch in Madrid, Spain, in 2024, with a fleet of 100 Fiat 500e as part of Stellantis’ Free2move carsharing service. The Fiat 500e is the company’s best-selling electric vehicle worldwide, and it leads on many European markets.

Ample’s technology offers an alternative method to supply energy to electric vehicles, making recharging as fast and convenient as refueling with gasoline, while providing an eco-friendly solution that can easily incorporate renewable energy sources. Designed to replace the original battery of an electric vehicle, Ample’s modular batteries can adapt to any electric model, allowing Stellantis to integrate this technology without modifying its vehicle platforms.

Additionally, Ample’s battery swapping stations can be installed in public places in just three days. This allows for quickly scalable infrastructure to meet driver demand. When a compatible electric vehicle approaches an Ample station, it is immediately recognized. Once parked, the driver initiates the battery replacement via a mobile app. The result: a fully charged battery in less than five minutes.

The “Modular Battery Swapping” solution from Ample is designed to be fast and cost-effective, reducing the downtime of electric vehicles and consequently the associated financial impacts. This system will be accessible through a subscription service. Such an approach would reduce the initial total cost of the vehicle while ensuring the customer always benefits from the latest battery technology, thereby increasing range and extending the lifespan of the electric vehicle.

As part of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, Stellantis announced its intention to reach 100% of its passenger vehicle sales in Europe being electric (BEV) and 50% for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in the United States by 2030. To achieve these objectives, the company is ensuring about 400 GWh of battery capacity is available. Stellantis is currently on track to become a carbon-neutral company by 2038, across all areas, with residual emission compensation in the single digits percentage range.

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