Stellantis is making waves by starting real-world tests for a cutting-edge battery technology that promises to increase ranges for electric vehicles (EVs) while shaving off some important weight.
The innovation d IBIS, which stands for ‘The Intelligent Battery Integrated System’, focuses on optimizing vehicle space, encouraging quicker charging sessions, and ramping up efficiency.
In collaboration with Saft, a renowned battery producer, Stellantis is rolling out this tech on the Peugeot e-3008 electric SUV.
This new IBIS tech cleverly integrates the inverter and charging systems right into the battery, resulting in a more compact package. Plus, it can easily be charged using both AC and DC rapid chargers, allowing for much shorter wait times, and it can power the electric motors and the entire electrical system of the vehicle. Another interesting feature is its ability to send power back to the grid when needed.
Peugeot reports that this system boosts the electric motor’s output from 201bhp to a robust 230bhp, claiming enhancements in efficiency by up to 10%. While exact official figures for electric range haven’t been revealed yet, the battery itself weighs in at 40kg lighter than regular alternatives, which should translate to better overall efficiency.
Charging times see improvements as well, dropping from seven hours to six hours when using a standard AC charger like those found in most homes.
Ned Curic, Stellantis’s chief engineering and technology officer, stated, “By rethinking and simplifying the electric powertrain architecture, we are making it lighter, more efficient, and more cost-effective. These types of innovations allow us to provide better and more affordable EVs to our customers.”
The companies are currently in a ‘phase 2’ testing stage, involving real-world driving conditions and tests. Stellantis hints that we might spot this new technology in their production vehicles as early as the end of the decade.
