Battery swapping returns — but this time, it’s modular
Spain’s car-sharing scene is about to get a jolt. Stellantis, the global automaker behind brands like Jeep, Dodge, and Fiat, has teamed up with San Francisco startup Ample to deploy 100 Fiat 500e EVs equipped with swappable batteries. The cars will be part of Free2move, Stellantis’ car-sharing and mobility service in Madrid.
Instead of plugging in and waiting around to recharge, these Fiats can drive into a station and receive a freshly charged battery in just five minutes — about the same time it takes to fill up a gas tank. It’s a modern take on a concept that’s been attempted before, with one major twist: Ample’s system uses modular battery packs rather than one-size-fits-all units.
A suitcase-sized solution to EV charging delays
What sets Ample apart is the flexibility of its battery system. Each swappable module is roughly the size of a carry-on suitcase, and multiple modules can be combined to suit different needs. That means a Fiat 500e doesn’t have to carry more battery than necessary — just one module for quick trips, or a full set of four for longer drives.
Unlike systems that require bespoke vehicle designs or bulky underbody access points, Ample’s batteries are designed to slot into existing EV platforms. This approach makes it easier to retrofit a wide variety of electric vehicles with the swappable tech. It also helps future-proof the system, meaning that as EV technology evolves, Ample can upgrade the modules themselves, not the cars.
For car-sharing fleets, time really is money
Battery swapping might not make sense for individual EV owners who charge overnight at home. But in the world of car-sharing and ride-hailing, downtime is the enemy.
Stellantis
“For car-sharing fleets, every minute spent off the road is lost revenue,” said Khaled Hassounah, CEO of Ample. “We’re deeply committed to making Free2move’s transition to electric seamless — not just in theory, but in daily operations. Our five-minute battery swaps eliminate charging downtime entirely, helping Free2move keep vehicles available, customers moving, and operations running at full speed.”
That kind of efficiency is critical for Free2move, which began testing 40 Ample-equipped 500e models in Madrid last year. With the fleet performing well and earning full regulatory approval, Stellantis plans to grow it to 100 vehicles by mid-2025.
Second-gen stations improve speed and user experience
Ample’s first battery swap stations appeared in California in 2021 and could complete a full changeover in about 10 minutes. However, the company has already rolled out a second-generation station that cuts that time in half and enhances the user experience.
Fiat
Now, drivers can remain inside the vehicle during the swap — a small but meaningful upgrade for comfort and convenience, especially in colder or hotter climates. The stations themselves are designed to be modular and quickly deployable, meaning they can be installed in urban environments without massive infrastructure changes. That’s a major advantage for cities with limited space or power grid constraints.
Final thoughts
Battery swapping isn’t likely to replace fast charging across the board. Most private EV owners won’t need it, and the cost of deploying swap stations at scale is still high. But in dense cities, where fleets need to keep moving and space is at a premium, modular swap stations could fill an important niche.
If the Madrid program proves successful, it could serve as a model for other cities and automakers looking to make electric fleets faster, more reliable, and more flexible. For now, it’s an ambitious experiment, but if it works, five-minute EV “refueling” could become a lot more common.