A major global automaker and a San Francisco startup hope to offer drivers the ability to fully charge an electric vehicle (EV) battery in just minutes.
Stellantis and Ample said their binding agreement would integrate the latter’s modular battery swapping system in the car maker’s EVs.
Unlike conventional EVs that require batteries to be recharged, Ample allows cars to have their batteries quickly replaced with fully charged ones. Drivers who subscribe to the company’s service would drive their Ample-enabled vehicles to stations, then swap out their current battery for a charged one using a mobile app — a process the company says takes less than five minutes.
Ample officials said its technology combats many concerns preventing consumers from embracing EVs, including range anxiety, lengthy charging times, and a lack of charging infrastructure.
The company added that its stations can be deployed in just days and that its system is designed to be a drop-in replacement for the batteries in internal combustion engine cars.
The companies expect to launch their joint initiative next year in Madrid by installing Ample technology in 100 Fiat 500e vehicles used by Stellantis’ car-sharing service in the city.
They are also in talks to expand their agreement for fleet customers and other applications across multiple Stellantis products and markets.
Image Credit: Stellantis, Ample
