Stellantis has signed a deal with US-based battery swap company Ample to feature the technology on its Fiat 500e from 2024.

The solution is capable of delivering a fully charged EV battery in less than five minutes and will initially be used in the company’s Free2move’s car sharing platform on Fiat 500e models from 2024.

The battery swapping technology will then likely be expanded to other models within the Stellantis brand umbrella, including Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen, DS and Alfa Romeo.

“The partnership with Ample is another example of how Stellantis is exploring all avenues that enable freedom of mobility for our electric vehicle customers,” said Ricardo Stamatti, Stellantis senior vice president, charging and energy business unit.

“In addition to other projects we are focused on, Ample’s Modular Battery Swapping solution has the opportunity to offer our customers greater energy efficiency, outstanding performance and lower range anxiety.

“We are looking forward to executing the initial program with our stellar Fiat 500e.”

Battery swapping technology allows an EV customer who stops at a battery swapping station to have its depleted EV battery swapped out for a fully charged battery.

The two companies are also in discussions regarding the expansion of the application of Ample’s Modular Battery Swapping Technology to meet Stellantis fleet and consumer demand across other Stellantis platforms and geographies.

The initial programme is planned to begin in Madrid, Spain, using a fleet of 100 Fiat 500es within Stellantis’ Free2move car sharing service.

Khaled Hassounah, CEO of Ample, said: “At Ample, we believe in the importance of making electric vehicles accessible to everyone without compromises, which is the only way that we will make a significant impact on lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

“The combination of offering compelling electric vehicles that can also receive a full charge in less than five minutes will help remove the remaining impediments to electric vehicle adoption.

“We look forward to working with Stellantis to deploy our joint solution across communities around the world.”

Ample batteries are designed to be a drop-in replacement for an EV’s original battery.

This, it says, is made possible by its modular batteries, which can fit into any EV, and would allow Stellantis to integrate Ample’s technology without reengineering its vehicle platforms.

In addition, Ample’s light-weight battery swapping stations can be deployed in public areas in as little as three days, allowing for a rapidly scalable infrastructure that can meet drivers’ demand.

When an Ample-enabled EV approaches the Ample station, the vehicle is immediately recognised by the station.

Once parked inside, the driver initiates the battery swap from the mobile app resulting in a fully charged battery in less than five minutes.

Ample’s modular battery swapping technology , would be made available to EV customers on a subscription service basis, is designed to be fast and cost-effective, thereby minimising the time when EVs are out-of-service, as well as the related financial impacts.

This approach, it says, would reduce the upfront total cost of the vehicle, as well as allow the customer to benefit from always having the latest battery technology, effectively increasing the EV’s range and lifespan.

Battery swapping technology has been around for many years, with Renault inititally looking to introduce the technology on its Zoe as far back as 2009. Chinese premium EV brand Nio, which is gearing up to launch in the UK next year, uses battery swapping technology as one of its core USPs.