Battery swapping technology allowing a five-minute recharge solution for electric vehicles (EVs) has been launched by Fiat with Ample and Free2move.
Working with Ample, the battery-swap initiative will initially serve the Madrid car-sharing market with Free2move.
Fiat is providing a fleet of Fiat 500e EVs, which it says are perfectly suited to accommodate the swappable battery packs provided by Ample.
Stellantis, Fiat’s parent company, signed a deal to fit its cars with EV battery swapping technology from Ample in 2023.
Olivier Francois, Fiat CEO and Stellantis global chief marketing officer, said: “At Fiat, we are committed to sustainable mobility. Guided by lateral thinking and a focus on simplicity, this new battery swapping technology reflects these values.
“It significantly reduces the fear of depleting battery mid-trip and dramatically cuts recharge time, delivering a seamless and effortless experience for drivers.
“We are dedicated to thoroughly testing and analysing this concept in real-world conditions and aiming to expand it to private customers soon.
“That is why we believe deeply in this project and have chosen our iconic Fiat 500 to spearhead the initiative.
“It will provide invaluable insights for both our brand and the Group as we shape the future of mobility.”
Madrid, which has committed to reducing emissions by 65% by 2030 and supporting Spain’s target of 5.5 million EVs by 2030, will play host to the trial.
It is designed to assess the operational efficiency of Ample’s battery swapping solution and generate valuable insights for Ample, Fiat and Stellantis.
In the second half of 2024, after an initial rollout of 40 vehicles and successful homologation, the fleet is set to expand to 100 units by the middle of this year.
The modular batteries, designed as drop-in replacements for original EV batteries are compatible with various EV platforms, including Stellantis models.
In collaboration with Free2move Charge, the Stellantis division dedicated to charging and energy solutions at Fiat says it is committed to gaining data and insights from this first project, that will play a crucial role in exploring the large-scale implementations of Ample technology.
