Mobility provider Free2move is expanding its partnership with battery technology company Ample to deploy modular battery swapping systems across its Madrid car-sharing fleet. The collaboration allows drivers to swap depleted batteries for fully charged ones in under five minutes, addressing operational challenges faced by EV fleets.
The partnership centers on a fleet of Fiat 500e vehicles modified to accommodate Ample’s swappable battery packs. After initial testing with 40 vehicles in late 2024, Free2move plans to expand the fleet to 100 units by mid-2025. The system enables drivers to complete battery swaps through a mobile app at designated stations, eliminating traditional charging downtime.
Madrid’s selection as the pilot location reflects the city’s position as a leader in EV adoption within Spain. The city has committed to reducing emissions by 65% by 2030, aligning with Spain’s national target of 5.5 million EVs by the same year.
The battery swapping technology uses modular batteries designed as replacements for standard EV batteries, allowing compatibility across various electric vehicle platforms. Ample-enabled vehicles are automatically recognized at swapping stations, where the exchange process takes place without requiring drivers to leave their cars.
Stellantis, parent company of Fiat, is supporting the initiative through its Free2move Charge division, which focuses on charging and energy solutions. The automaker plans to showcase the technology at MOVE 2025, a mobility conference taking place June 18-19 at ExCeL London.
“At Free2move, we’re proud to take a bold step forward in electric mobility by integrating the iconic Fiat 500e with Ample’s innovative battery swapping technology,” said Ahmed Mhiri, CEO of Free2move. “While the experience remains seamless for our customers, this advancement allows our teams to operate more efficiently and sustainably.”
Mathilde Lheureux, Global Head of Energy and Charge Business Unit at Stellantis, described the partnership as addressing “the urgent need for sustainable transportation” while providing “a scalable solution that meets the high-availability demands of intensive-use companies in urban environments like Madrid.”
Khaled Hassounah, CEO of Ample, emphasized the operational benefits for car-sharing services. “For car-sharing fleets, every minute spent off the road is lost revenue,” he said. “Our 5-minute battery swaps eliminate charging downtime entirely, helping Free2move keep vehicles available, customers moving, and operations running at full speed.”
The Madrid pilot will provide data for potential large-scale implementations of the battery swapping technology across other markets and vehicle platforms.
