Stellantis unveils simplified battery tech to make EVs affordable
Integrated battery system embeds inverter and charger into the pack, aiming to cut weight, speed charging and reduce costs across the group
Stellantis has unveiled a new integrated battery system it calls the Intelligent Battery Integrated System, or IBIS, a move the company says could lower the cost of electric vehicles. The system embeds charger and inverter functions directly into the battery pack, eliminating the need for separate components. The first fully functional IBIS-equipped BEV is the Peugeot e-300, with the project the result of years of collaboration among Stellantis, several technology partners and the French government.
Stellantis executives said the technology could shrink weight and improve efficiency across its lineup, which spans 14 brands including Citroën, Fiat, Peugeot and Vauxhall. Ned Curic, chief engineering and technology officer at Stellantis, said: "By rethinking and simplifying the electric powertrain architecture, we are making it lighter, more efficient, and more cost-effective. These are the kinds of innovations that help us deliver better, more affordable EVs to our customers."
Under IBIS, the inverter and on-board charger are embedded directly into the battery, in a way that works with both alternating current (AC) slow charging and direct current (DC) fast charging. The architecture supports powering the motor and the vehicle’s 12-volt network and auxiliary systems from the same source, with fewer components spread around the vehicle for weight distribution and cooling. The company says the integration can streamline the powertrain and simplify servicing, while opening the door to second-life battery reuse in both automotive and stationary applications.
Advocates say the integration yields measurable gains: energy efficiency improves about 10 percent on WLTC testing, and power rises about 15 percent with the same battery size (172 kW vs. 150 kW). Stellantis estimates the approach can trim vehicle weight by roughly 40 kilograms and free as much as 17 liters of interior volume, enabling new packaging and aerodynamic design opportunities. Charging speed also climbs, with early results showing about a 15 percent reduction in charging time on a 7 kW AC charger and around 10 percent energy savings overall. Maintenance is simplified, and the simpler architecture could bolster the viability of second-life battery reuse in both automotive and stationary applications.
Phase 2 of the IBIS program began in June 2025 with continued support from the French Government through the France 2030 plan. The focus now shifts to real‑world testing under representative driving conditions, a step Stellantis says could lead to IBIS integration in its production vehicles by the end of the decade. The company also sees potential beyond cars, with possible applications in rail, aerospace, maritime and data-center contexts as part of a broader push toward scalable, sustainable electrification.