Fiat has started testing battery swapping technology in Madrid that could cut charging time from 30 minutes to just five minutes. The Italian automaker is working with California-based Ample to trial the system through its Free2move car sharing service.
The pilot program uses 40 Fiat 500e vehicles equipped with Ample’s modular battery packs. Drivers can pull into an Ample station and have their depleted battery removed and replaced with a fully charged unit in five minutes – dramatically faster than the typical 30-minute charge needed to reach 80% capacity.
Fiat plans to expand the trial to 100 vehicles later this year.
The company says it wants to make the technology available to private customers quickly if the trial succeeds. Battery swapping addresses two major barriers to EV adoption – charge times and range anxiety – particularly for drivers without home charging access.
"It significantly reduces the fear of depleting battery mid-trip and dramatically cuts recharge time, delivering a seamless and effortless experience for drivers," said Olivier Francois, Fiat’s CEO.
Ample’s modular design works as a drop-in replacement for standard EV batteries. The system can be adapted to fit different vehicle models and platforms, potentially opening the technology to other Stellantis brands and manufacturers.
Battery Swapping Gains Momentum
Battery swapping remains relatively uncommon globally but is gaining traction as a solution to charging infrastructure challenges.
China leads the market with companies like Nio, which operates more than 3,000 swap stations domestically and around 50 across Europe. The technology is particularly valuable in urban areas where apartment dwellers can’t install home charging stations.
The Madrid trial represents one of the first major European tests of battery swapping for mainstream passenger vehicles. Success could accelerate adoption across Stellantis brands including Peugeot, Citroën, and Jeep.
Fiat emphasized it’s committed to testing the technology in real-world conditions before broader deployment. The company sees battery swapping as part of its broader push toward sustainable mobility solutions that prioritize simplicity and user experience.
