Stellantis is on a mission to reduce battery weight in its future EVs by half. This initiative aims to make EVs as light as combustion-powered cars. The group is collaborating with various battery technology companies to explore suitable chemistries.
Lightweight Batteries: The Future of EVs
At the opening of its new Mirafiori Battery Technology Centre in Turin, Italy, Ned Curic, the group’s engineering boss, emphasized the need for lightweight batteries and efficient cell packaging. He pointed out that current Lithium-ion batteries, being among the heaviest EV components, negatively impact performance, efficiency, and safety.
Investing in Lightweight Battery Technology
In 2023, Stellantis invested in Lyten, a California-based company developing lightweight lithium-sulfur batteries. These batteries promise lower material cost, 60% weight reduction, and resistance to thermal runaway. Stellantis also considers sodium-ion batteries as a potential alternative.
Stellantis’ New Battery Technology Centre
Stellantis recently inaugurated its new $43 million Battery Technology Centre in Turin. The facility, one of Europe’s largest battery testing and development hubs, will conduct various tests and oversee battery management system software development.
Collaboration for Battery Development
Stellantis is also partnering with France’s National Centre For Scientific Research and TotalEnergies-owned Saft to develop a battery that integrates inverter and charger functions. This solution, called Intelligent Battery Integrated System, aims to free up space, reduce cost, and improve range.
The global battery technology field is bustling with experiments aimed at reducing costs, improving energy density, and increasing driving range. The results of these efforts will be seen in the coming years.
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