SHERIDAN, WYOMING – July 11, 2025 – FIAT is redefining electric mobility with an exciting breakthrough: battery swapping in less than five minutes. Teaming up with Ample and Free2move, the brand has launched this innovation in Madrid, making EV driving easier, faster, and more convenient than ever.
This first-of-its-kind pilot introduces a fully operational Ample swapping station in the Spanish capital, supported by a growing fleet of Fiat 500e vehicles provided by Free2move.
A Bold Leap Toward Effortless Urban Mobility
This initiative represents a major shift in how drivers charge electric vehicles. Instead of traditional charging, FIAT is introducing modular battery packs that can be swapped in minutes—saving time, boosting availability, and lowering operational costs.
“FIAT introduces a real technological ‘revolution’, the battery swap, thanks to the collaboration with Ample and Free2move, breaking one of the barriers to electrification with a recharging time of just 5 minutes.”
The Fiat 500e has been identified as the perfect match for this innovative approach. Its compatibility with Ample’s swappable batteries makes it the ideal test platform for transforming the charging experience.
Exactly As Promised: Under Five Minutes to Recharge
The system uses modular, drop-in batteries that are seamlessly swapped out at dedicated stations. Each vehicle is recognized automatically, and the entire exchange is completed through a mobile app—making it fast and effortless for drivers.
Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and Stellantis Global CMO, explained:
“At FIAT, we are committed to sustainable mobility. Guided by lateral thinking and a focus on simplicity, this new battery swapping technology reflects these values. It significantly reduces the fear of depleting battery mid-trip and dramatically cuts recharge time, delivering a seamless and effortless experience for drivers. We are dedicated to thoroughly testing and analyzing this concept in real-world conditions and aiming to expand it to private customers soon. That is why we believe deeply in this project and have chosen our iconic Fiat 500e to spearhead the initiative. It will provide invaluable insights for both our brand and the Group as we shape the future of mobility.”
Madrid Sets the Stage for EV Innovation
With a bold goal to reduce emissions by 65% by 2030 and support 5.5 million EVs nationwide, Madrid is the perfect place to trial this next-generation solution.
“Madrid, a leader in EV adoption in Spain, provides an ideal setting for this pilot. The city’s commitment to reducing emissions by 65% by 2030 and supporting Spain’s target of 5.5 million EVs by 2030 underscores its dedication to cleaner, more innovative mobility solutions.”
The fleet, which began with 40 vehicles in 2024 and underwent successful homologation, is expected to grow to 100 Fiat 500e units by mid-2025.
What Makes Ample’s Technology Different
This system tackles key EV challenges head-on:
- Ultra-fast battery swaps in under five minutes
- Minimized reliance on traditional charging stations
- Scalable modular battery design compatible with multiple EV platforms
“Ample’s battery swapping technology addresses key EV challenges by boosting fleet availability, cutting charging times, and reducing reliance on charging infrastructure. This revolutionary solution works through seamless integration of its modular batteries, designed as drop-in replacements for original EV batteries, enabling compatibility with various electric vehicle platforms, including Stellantis models; combined with fast and easy swapping, where Ample-enabled EVs are automatically recognized at swapping stations and it is possible to complete a battery swap via a mobile app in under five minutes.”
Expanding the Vision at MOVE 2025
FIAT, together with Stellantis Ventures and Free2move Charge, will be showcasing this technology at MOVE 2025—one of the world’s most prominent events for tech and sustainable mobility—held June 18–19 in London.
“In collaboration with Free2move Charge, the Stellantis division dedicated to Charging & Energy Solutions, the Italian brand is committed to drawing from this first project data and insights that will play a crucial role in exploring the large-scale implementations of Ample technology.”
“At MOVE 2025, the world’s premier event for tech and sustainable mobility, taking place June 18–19 at ExCeL London, Stellantis Ventures will host an interactive booth featuring pioneering solutions: among these, it will also be exhibited a live demo of Ample’s modular battery-swapping system.”
As this pilot rolls forward, FIAT is opening the door to a smoother, smarter EV experience for urban drivers—with the potential to scale across Europe and beyond.
Learn more at https://www.fiat.com