Dealers partnering Stellantis could be supplying its own-brand electric car chargers in the long term as the vehicle manufacturer has revealed its Free2Move Charge business, designed to help provide EV buyers with hardware, financing, ongoing support and easy access to public charging points.

Managed by the newly established Stellantis Charging & Energy Business Unit, it is described by the group as a "comprehensive ecosystem (which) aims to provide seamless charging and energy management solutions for EV customers".

It will be rolled out in the USA first and then Stellantis's European markets during the second half of 2023.

The services it provides will be tailored "hyper-local" to national markets, and specifics relating to the UK, where many group brands will adopt agency agreements for retailers in the coming years, were not available at the launch press conference.

Ricardo Stamatti, Stellantis senior vice president of the Charging & Energy Business Unit, said: "We are taking the lead in establishing a dedicated business unit that will support our bold electrification strategy and act as a natural extension of our iconic brands.

"Free2move Charge is the first product rolling out, exemplifying our purpose of delivering performance, value, sustainability, and electrified mobility freedom for all."

An 'e-ABC Promise', which stands for "easy to Always Be Charged," lies at the heart of Free2move Charge, which aims to make charging convenient, intelligent, and personalized -  with optimized energy management to help reduce the total cost of EV ownership and maximise environmental benefits.

By addressing barriers to EV ownership, including charging anxiety, Free2move Charge plays a pivotal role in achieving Stellantis' Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan.

Free2move Charge is built on three key pillars. Free2move Charge Home provides support for private customers, offering installation, financing, and warranty services for home charging and other energy-related hardware. The options range from AC charging cables and wall boxes to advanced features like Vehicle-2-Home and Vehicle-2-Grid systems, with future releases set to introduce touch-free wireless solutions and inductive robot charging.

Free2move Charge Business serves as a comprehensive platform that addresses all aspects of charging and energy services for businesses. It offers early support, cost estimation, infrastructure planning, installation, maintenance, and access to public charging networks while on the move.

Free2move Charge GO ensures access to an extensive network of curated public charging points, and includes features like reservations, loyalty programs, subscriptions, prepaid packages, and single invoice/billing.