If your electric vehicle’s battery is dead, Stellantis can soon find a solution to get you back on the road in less than five minutes.
Stellantis will partner with California-based startup Ample to test replaceable battery technology, a charging solution already implemented by Chinese manufacturer Nio. The experiment will take place in Madrid, where a fleet of electric Fiat 500s will be equipped with replaceable batteries.
How does the Stellantis battery replacement system work?
Unlike traditional charging at a station, battery swapping allows drivers to replace a dead battery in less than five minutes. This alternative eliminates the need for slow charging at home or the use of powerful terminals, which are often more expensive and energy-intensive.
In fact, customers will have to go to some kind of center specializing in battery replacement, park their car in a special place and just wait for the automated system to replace the dead battery with a full one. Today, Nio and Ample are among the few players who believe in this technology. Tesla, for its part, prefers to focus on ultra-fast chargers and network density.
Nio has already installed several hundred exchange stations in China and Europe, while other manufacturers such as Geely have recently expressed interest in the technology.
Technology open to all?
Ample batteries are distinguished by their modular design, which offers the advantage of adapting to the shape of each vehicle. This feature simplifies robotic systems, thereby reducing the cost of setting up exchange stations. Ample batteries will be tested on a fleet of Fiat 500 self-service vehicles in Madrid, with four stations already in operation and nine more planned.
If the tests in Madrid are conclusive, Stellantis plans to integrate Ample’s replaceable batteries into its brands’ cars. Thus, the Fiat 500 could be the first to offer this technology as an option.
Battery replacement can be a solution that is particularly suitable for fleets of urban vehicles such as taxis and couriers, as well as for people who live in buildings without parking.
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Source: Auto Plus
Robert is an experienced journalist who has been covering the automobile industry for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry and is known for his thorough and in-depth reporting.