Stellantis, a multinational automobile manufacturing corporation that came into existence in 2021 on the basis of a 50-50 merger between the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the PSA Group, has unveiled an innovative prototype electric vehicle (EV) battery that marks a major shift from traditional electrical energy conversion systems.

Designed and developed under the Intelligent Battery Integrated System (IBIS) research project, the new technology successfully integrates the inverter as well as charger within the battery to save space.

For the research project, Stellantis partnered with battery solutions provider Saft, and the engineers worked with France-based National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). It took nearly four years to design and develop the new technology. The group has filed a number of patents have been filed for IBIS technology, which, as already mentioned above, marks a major transition from traditional electrical energy conversion systems.

The automaker showed how an electronic conversion board can perform the functions of the power inverter as well as of the charger. An advanced control system facilitates the alternating current (AC) to travel from the battery straight to the traction motors. The energy, stored in modules that are independent from one another, could then power the vehicle’s electric motors. To demonstrate the same, the automaker recently published a video (shared, at the end of the story).

According to the automaker’s claims, the new technology will make EVs not only more affordable but also more efficient and reliable. Possibly, the new technology will also increase the life of EV batteries.

The next step for the group is to use the technology in a fully functional prototype vehicle. The automaker will then test the prototype vehicle on its tracks as well as public roads. The IBIS team aims to incorporate the innovative technology in Stellantis electrified vehicles before the end of 2023.

Ned Curic, Chief Engineering & Technology Officer at Stellantis, “Our journey to electrification is fuelled by innovation and research excellence that uses the latest technology to address the real needs of our EV customers such as range, roominess and affordability while reducing carbon footprint by improving efficiency.”

Amsterdam, Netherlands-headquartered Stellantis owns a number of world-famous brands, including Ram, Jeep, Chrysler, Fiat and Maserati. The group has plans to launch more than six dozen fully-electric vehicles by the end of current decade under its Dare Forward 2030 strategy, which has specifically been designed to enhance the automobile giant’s presence in the BEV segment.

For over 100 years, Saft’s longer-lasting batteries and systems have provided critical safety applications, back-up power and propulsion for our customers. As a leading battery company, Saft’s innovative, safe, and reliable technology delivers high performance on land, at sea, in the air, and in space.

In an impressive and dedicated four-year endeavor involving design, modeling, and simulation, a team of 25 talented individuals, including CNRS, Stellantis, and Saft engineers and researchers, has unveiled a revolutionary prototype of an energy storage battery. This groundbreaking battery showcases an innovative integration of both the inverter and charger functions, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective solution. Notably, it significantly enhances the range of battery electric vehicles and boosts their reliability, all while optimizing valuable space within the vehicle.

The collaborative research project, affectionately known as the Intelligent Battery Integrated System (IBIS), has been operational since the summer of 2022 and has already garnered multiple patents. It represents a remarkable departure from the conventional electrical energy conversion systems currently employed. Through this project, a multitude of new technical concepts has been successfully validated, and their control and operation have been mastered, opening up exciting possibilities for potential automotive or stationary applications.

In the realm of electromobility, the IBIS project stands poised to bring about a genuine paradigm shift in the design of electric powertrains, sparking positive and transformative changes for the future.

As per the official release from SAFT……..

With IBIS, the electronic conversion boards that perform the power inverter and charger functions are mounted as close as possible to the lithium-ion battery cells. A sophisticated control system enables alternating current for an electric motor to be produced directly from the battery.

The IBIS project partners are now focused on building a fully functional prototype vehicle that will be tested on Stellantis development benches and test tracks as well as on open roads. The IBIS project team intends to make this technology available on Stellantis brand vehicles before the end of this decade. “Our journey to electrification is fueled by innovation and research excellence that uses the latest technology to address real needs of our EV customers such as range, roominess and affordability while reducing carbon footprint by improving efficiency”, said Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering & Technology Officer. “This revolutionary battery system could mark a decisive step in Stellantis’ commitment to provide useful, easy and advanced technology to all.”

By developing an efficient and cost-competitive technology, the IBIS project offers the opportunity to reduce vehicle weight and cost of the EV powertrain and vehicle manufacturing, while offering a large number of new features.

In the field of stationary energy storage and renewable energy integration, project partner Saft will be able to offer turnkey installations with improved battery availability, optimized use of installed energy and a smaller footprint. The intrinsic architecture of the IBIS battery will simplify the maintenance and upgrade of the facility and reduce the site’s carbon footprint.