AMSTERDAM—Stellantis has agreed to partner with EV start-up Ample Inc. to integrate Ample’s modular battery swapping technology into Stellantis’ electric vehicles.

One of the biggest pain points that comes with driving an EV is the time it takes to charge the battery pack. Instead of plugging in an EV and waiting hours to recharge the batteries, Ample’s technology would enable an EV owner to pull into an automated kiosk and have the discharged battery pack exchanged for a fully charged one in less than five minutes.

For the concept to work, however, Ample will need to work closely with automotive OEMs to develop standardized, modular battery packs that can be swapped out quickly, easily and safely. Ample’s new partnership with Stellantis is one step in that direction.

The initial program is planned to begin in Madrid, Spain, in 2024 using a fleet of 100 Fiat 500e’s within Stellantis’ Free2move car sharing service. The Fiat 500e is the company’s best-selling EV.

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

Ample’s battery packs are designed to be a drop-in replacement for an electric vehicle’s original battery. This is made possible by Ample’s modular batteries, which can fit into any electric vehicle, and would allow Stellantis to integrate Ample’s technology without re-engineering its vehicle platforms. 

In addition, Ample’s battery swapping stations can be deployed in public areas in as little as three days, allowing for a rapidly scalable infrastructure that can meet drivers’ demand. When an Ample-enabled EV approaches the Ample station, the vehicle is immediately recognized by the station. Once parked inside, the driver initiates the battery swap from a mobile app. Robots would perform the exchange.