Stellantis to trial battery swap technology, starting with a fleet of Fiat 500e EVs

Stellantis, the world’s fourth-largest carmaker by volume, has announced a partnership with Californian company Ample, to leverage its Modular Battery Swapping technology for use in future Stellantis electric vehicles.

The two companies announced their partnership last week which will allow a depleted battery to be swapped out for a fully charged battery in less than five minutes.

Battery swap technology is already popular in China for two-wheeled vehicles and the EV maker Nio, and Stellantis will test the technology in Madrid, Spain next year, with a fleet of 100 Fiat 500e EVs that are part of its Free2move car sharing service.

“The partnership with Ample is another example of how Stellantis is exploring all avenues that enable freedom of mobility for our electric vehicle customers,” said Ricardo Stamatti, senior vice president of Stellantis’ charging & energy business unit.

“In addition to other projects we are focused on, Ample’s Modular Battery Swapping solution has the opportunity to offer our customers greater energy efficiency, outstanding performance and lower range anxiety.

Ample’s drop-in modular batteries can be fitted into any EV and serve as an alternative method of recharging that is as fast and convenient as the traditional refuelling experience at a petrol station.

Ample says its light-weight battery swapping stations are capable of being deployed in public areas in as little as three days, allowing for the rapid scaling of infrastructure to meet EV demand.

When an Ample-enabled EV approaches a battery swap station, the vehicle is immediately recognised by the station, allowing the driver to park inside and initiate the battery swap from a mobile app.

“At Ample, we believe in the importance of making electric vehicles accessible to everyone without compromises, which is the only way that we will make a significant impact on lowering greenhouse gas emissions,” said Khaled Hassounah, CEO of Ample.

“The combination of offering compelling electric vehicles that can also receive a full charge in less than five minutes will help remove the remaining impediments to electric vehicle adoption.”