Stellantis, one of the world’s largest mobility companies, has unveiled its first prototype vehicle featuring the Intelligent Battery Integrated System (IBIS), a breakthrough technology developed in partnership with Saft. Designed under a France-based joint research project, IBIS aims to deliver a more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective energy storage and conversion system. By eliminating the need for separate chargers and inverters, IBIS optimizes in-vehicle space usage, reduces complexity, and simplifies maintenance. This milestone represents a key advancement for both mobile and stationary energy applications.
The first fully functional battery electric vehicle (BEV) to feature IBIS technology is the all-new Peugeot E-3008, built on the STLA Medium platform. This prototype is the result of years of design, modeling, and simulation efforts carried out by Stellantis and Saft, with the support of leading French institutions including E2-CAD, Sherpa Engineering, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, and Institut Lafayette.
Since mid-2022, IBIS demonstration systems for stationary applications have already validated the core technical concepts and led to multiple patents. Transitioning to a mobile prototype now marks a significant leap forward in the system’s evolution.
IBIS redefines the architecture of electric powertrains by directly integrating inverter and charger functions into the battery itself—regardless of its chemistry or application. Supporting both AC and DC power, the system transfers energy directly to the motor or the grid, while simultaneously supplying the vehicle’s 12V onboard network and auxiliary systems.
Key benefits include:
Efficiency and Performance: Up to 10% improvement in energy efficiency (WLTC cycle) and 15% more power (172 kW vs. 150 kW).
Weight and Space Savings: Reduces vehicle weight by ~40 kg and frees up to 17 liters of space, allowing greater design flexibility.
Faster Charging: Initial results show a 15% reduction in charging time (e.g., from 7 hours to 6 hours on a 7 kW AC charger) with up to 10% energy savings.
Simplified Maintenance: Easier servicing and improved potential for second-life battery applications in both automotive and stationary uses.
Commenting on the achievement, Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, said:
“This project reflects our belief that simplification is also innovation. By rethinking and simplifying the architecture of electric powertrains, we are making the system lighter, more efficient, and more cost-effective. Innovations like this help us bring more affordable and better electric vehicles to our customers.”
Echoing the sentiment, Hervé Amossé, Saft Executive Vice President of Energy Storage Systems, added:
“By integrating IBIS technology into our next-generation applications, we are launching a new era of smart, flexible, and sustainable energy solutions. Saft continues to lead advanced research that delivers long-term, cost-effective solutions tailored to evolving market needs.”
The second phase of the project, supported by the French Government under the France 2030 program, began in June 2025. The focus has now shifted to real-world road testing under representative driving conditions. This stage could pave the way for IBIS technology to be integrated into Stellantis production vehicles by the end of the decade.
Beyond automotive applications, the IBIS architecture also shows strong potential in railways, aviation, marine, and data centers, underlining Stellantis and Saft’s commitment to scalable and sustainable electrification.
Launched six years ago, IBIS is a pioneering initiative born from the synergy of academic research and industry expertise. Coordinated by Stellantis, the project brings together key industrial partners—Saft, E2-CAD, and Sherpa Engineering—alongside major institutions such as CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, and Institut Lafayette.
A multidisciplinary team of 25 engineers and researchers collaborates across renowned laboratories, including:
Group of Electrical Engineering – Paris (GeePs – CNRS/CentraleSupélec/Université Paris-Saclay/Sorbonne Université)
Electrochemistry and Physical-Chemistry of Materials and Interfaces Laboratory (LEPMI – Grenoble INP/Université Savoie Chambéry/Université Grenoble Alpes/CNRS)
Information and Energy Technology Systems and Applications Laboratory (SATIE – CNAM/ENS Paris-Saclay/Université Cergy-Pontoise/CNRS/Université Paris-Saclay/Université Gustave Eiffel)
Supported by ADEME under France’s Investments for the Future Plan, the IBIS project underscores the strategic importance of collaborative innovation in developing next-generation sustainable energy technologies.
