Greater integration of EV components can deliver increased cargo space, simplified manufacturing and lower costs. Now Stellantis and Saft engineers have unveiled a prototype of an EV battery pack that integrates the inverter and charger functions into the modules.

The collaborative research project has produced the Intelligent Battery Integrated System (IBIS), in which the electronic conversion boards that perform the power inverter and charger functions are mounted as close as possible to the lithium-ion battery cells.

A demonstrator, operational since summer 2022, is the subject of numerous patents, and has enabled the companies to validate many new technical concepts. The IBIS project partners are now focused on building a fully functional prototype vehicle that will be tested on Stellantis development benches and test tracks as well as on open roads. The IBIS project team hopes to make this technology available on Stellantis vehicles before the end of this decade.

“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.

“Saft has been at the heart of industrial battery innovation for over 100 years,” said Saft CEO Cedric Duclos. “As pioneers in this cutting-edge field, our researchers are able to carry out research programs like IBIS over the long term.”

Source: Stellantis