Hopefully, this will lead to many more sub-$20k EVs.
Stellantis has introduced an innovative battery that integrates the inverter and charger functions. Called the Intelligent Battery Integrated System (IBIS), this new system is the result of a four-year collaboration between Stellantis, battery maker Saft, and 25 people from the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).
According to Stellantis, integrating the inverter and charging functions has led to a new vehicle (or stationary) battery that claims to be more efficient, leading to more range. The unit is said to be cheaper and more reliable, but the big news is the amount of space it frees up in a car.
“Our journey to electrification is fueled 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,” said Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer. “This revolutionary battery system could mark a decisive step in Stellantis' commitment to provide useful, easy, and advanced technology to all.”
The team mounted the electronic conversion boards that perform the power and inverter charger functions as close as possible to the lithium-ion battery cells. A new control system enables alternating current for an electric motor to be sent directly to the battery.
We must first look at how existing systems for EVs work to understand why this is revolutionary. AC power is sent to the charging system, where it's converted to DC, which is fed to the battery. From the battery, the charge is sent to the inverter, which regulates the alternating current sent to the electric motor.
IBIS essentially removes the clunky inverter and charger from their normal position to free up room. The AC charge basically goes directly to the battery pack. The pack has three-phase power generation, and the modules operate entirely independently from each other.
The next step for IBIS is building a fully functional prototype vehicle that will be tested on Stellantis test benches and tracks and in the real world. Since this new battery technology is meant for smaller cars, Stellantis will likely use the 500e or Jeep Avenger for testing.
IBIS will also be offered as a stationary battery solution to reduce costs. The more they build, the lower the price will be to the end user.
Saft is familiar with this side of the battery segment, having spent more than 100 years providing vehicle and stationary battery solutions. They supply the aviation, space, and military with stationary battery units, but there are benefits for the general public, too. For example, you can use IBIS and a solar setup to go off the grid. It will be like Tesla's home solar setup but more affordable.
On the automotive side, the size and weight of IBIS will have an impact. One of the main reasons why there's a general lack of small EVs is weight and packaging. A smaller body doesn't have enough space for all the parts required to make an EV run, and manufacturers only have two options. They can either build an EV with a small battery pack with almost no range, or not build a small EV at all.
The best example is the Mazda MX-30, a lovely car equipped with a tiny battery. As a result, it can only cover 100 miles, leading to consumers giving it a hard pass.
IBIS is effectively the opposite of the 205-kWh battery pack in the hefty Hummer EV, which accounts for the most significant chunk of its 9,000-pound body.
Keyword: Stellantis' IBIS Battery Technology Set To Revolutionize The Small EV Segment