Stellantis, in partnership with Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, has presented a prototype vehicle featuring the Intelligent Battery Integrated System (IBIS).
The project, developed through a French research collaboration, is designed to deliver a more efficient, lighter, and cost-effective approach to electric powertrains. Real-world testing of the system is now underway in a Peugeot E-3008 built on the STLA Medium platform.
System architecture
The IBIS initiative builds on six years of design, modeling, and validation carried out by Stellantis, Saft, and partners including E2-CAD, Sherpa Engineering, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, and Institut Lafayette.
IBIS integrates inverter and charger functionalities directly into the battery, independent of chemistry or application. The system can deliver both alternating current (ac) and direct current (dc), providing energy to the traction motor or directly to the grid, while also powering the 12V network and auxiliary systems.
An initial IBIS demonstrator for stationary applications has been operating since mid-2022, validating technical principles and generating multiple patents. The mobile prototype marks the next stage in the program’s development.
Benefits
- Efficiency and performance: Early testing indicates up to a 10% gain in energy efficiency on the WLTC cycle and a 15% increase in power output (172 versus 150 kW) with the same battery size.
- Weight and space: Integration reduces overall vehicle weight by about 40 kg and frees approximately 17 liters of volume, supporting aerodynamic design flexibility.
- Charging: Preliminary results show a reduction in charging time of around 15% (e.g., from seven to six hours on a 7-kW ac charger), alongside ~10% energy savings.
- Serviceability and reuse: The simplified architecture may lower maintenance complexity and facilitate second-life battery applications for stationary storage.
By embedding functions traditionally handled by separate components, the IBIS concept aims to reduce cost, improve energy efficiency, and streamline battery reuse. Road testing of the Peugeot E-3008 prototype is expected to inform further development for automotive and stationary applications.
Filed Under: Batteries, Technology News