Fiat announced in 2023 a partnership with Ample to develop battery charging technology for electric vehicles capable of providing a fully charged electric vehicle battery in less than five minutes.
Now the Italian brand has announced the introduction of modular battery swapping technology in the vehicle sharing market of Madrid, in collaboration with Free2move, a leading mobility solutions provider, with the operation of the first battery swapping station in Madrid.
To this end, Fiat provides a fleet of 500e vehicles, perfectly suited to accommodate the swappable batteries supplied by Ample. The brand identified the 500e as the ideal vehicle to interact with Ample’s innovative battery swapping system, allowing for complete recharging in less than five minutes. The solution offers a flexible and scalable alternative to traditional charging, maximizing fleet availability, reducing operational costs, and minimizing reliance on charging infrastructure.
“At Fiat, we are committed to sustainable mobility. Guided by lateral thinking and focused on simplicity, this new battery swapping technology reflects these values. It significantly reduces the fear of running out of battery in the middle of a trip and drastically decreases charging times, providing a seamless and effortless experience for drivers. We are dedicated to thoroughly testing and analyzing this concept in real-world conditions and plan to expand it soon to private customers. This is why we deeply believe in this project and have chosen our iconic Fiat 500e to lead the initiative. This will provide valuable insights for both our brand and the Group as we shape the future of mobility.”
The Ample battery swapping solution works through the seamless integration of modular batteries, designed to replace the original batteries of electric vehicles, allowing compatibility with various electric vehicle platforms, including Stellantis models, combined with a quick and easy swap, where electric vehicles equipped with the Ample solution are automatically recognized at swapping stations, enabling drivers to complete the battery swap through a mobile app in less than five minutes.
In collaboration with Free2move Charge, Stellantis’ division dedicated to charging and energy solutions, the Italian brand is committed to leveraging data from this pilot project, which will play a crucial role in exploring large-scale implementations of Ample technology.
