Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, has announced a strategic partnership with Ample, a San Francisco-based EV battery startup, to introduce swappable battery technology in its rental electric vehicle fleet. This initiative aims to address concerns related to range anxiety and extended charging times for potential EV customers.
Swappable Battery Technology by Ample
Stellantis plans to leverage Ample’s swappable battery technology, which involves an automated process for quickly exchanging depleted batteries with fully charged packs. This partnership allows Stellantis’ EV owners to replace discharged batteries with freshly charged ones in just a few minutes at Ample’s designated battery swapping stations.
Implementation Details in Spain
The initial phase of the program is scheduled to kick off in Spain in 2024, featuring a fleet of 100 Fiat 500e models within Stellantis’ Free2move car sharing service. This deployment is part of Stellantis’ broader strategy to enhance accessibility and convenience for EV users.
Partnership Dynamics and Infrastructure Expansion
While financial details of the partnership were not disclosed, Ample, which currently operates 12 charge stations in San Francisco, plans to add nine more stations in addition to the four existing ones in Madrid. Ample typically handles the setup and management of the infrastructure, with fleets paying for the energy consumed during the battery swapping process.
Industry Trends and Ample’s Modular Batteries
Ample’s approach aligns with a growing trend among companies, including Chinese EV manufacturers like Nio and Xpeng, to address charging challenges through quick battery swaps. Ample’s modular batteries serve as drop-in replacements for original EV batteries, accommodating various electric vehicle models without requiring extensive reengineering of vehicle platforms.
Previous Collaborations of Ample
Ample, not new to industry partnerships, had previously joined forces with EV-maker Fisker to integrate swappable batteries into the Ocean sports utility vehicle. Additionally, the startup collaborated with ride services giant Uber in California.
The collaboration between Stellantis and Ample signals a proactive step toward alleviating concerns surrounding EV range limitations. As the program unfolds in Spain, it will likely contribute valuable insights to the broader efforts in making electric vehicles more accessible and user-friendly.