Stellantis IBIS battery: New AC prototype brings improvements for everyday use and performance

IBIS has been developed for over six years in collaboration with the French battery specialist Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies. According to InsideEVs, the system provides alternating current directly at the output, which eliminates the need for separate inverters, onboard chargers, or DC converters. The current prototype is based on the Peugeot E-3008 and is now being tested on public roads.

Performance and efficiency

Stellantis mentions specific advantages, as the battery system saves up to 17 liters of space and about 88 lbs of weight. AC charging times are 15% shorter, while WLTP consumption and energy losses each drop by 10%. At the same time, battery power increases by up to 15% to 172 kW at the same size. Maintenance is simplified and the battery is suitable for second-life applications.

Comparison to regular EV batteries

Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that store direct current and require separate inverters, IBIS significantly simplifies the build of vehicle. Manufacturers like Tesla or Volkswagen continue to use separate charging systems. IBIS offers advantages with its compact design, lower weight and more efficient energy use.

Use cases beyond electric cars

The IBIS architecture is also quite flexible. A stationary version has been in testing since 2022 and could be used for rail transport, aerospace, maritime shipping or data centers in the future.

Outlook

Stellantis’ battery project brings together 25 engineers from Saft, CNRS, the Sorbonne, the University of Paris-Saclay, and the Lafayette Institute. Stellantis plans to put IBIS into production vehicles by 2029 or 2030. The technology could result in lighter, more efficient and easier-to-maintain electric cars.