Car manufacturer Stellantis is betting on a European charging network and the development of lithium-ion batteries. The company is joining forces with TheF Charging, an Italian company focused on developing a comprehensive charging network in Europe. The company is also signing a memorandum-of-understanding with LG Energy Solutions to establish a joint venture for the production of battery cells and battery modules.
The European Commission on 14 July presented 'Fit for 55', a package that aims for 100% of all new cars to be emission-free by 2035. Stellantis, parent company of Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall, and TheF Charging cite the availability of public charging points as a key requirement for the transition to more sustainable mobility through the broad embrace of BEVs and PHEVs.
Comprehensive European charging network
With their partnership, the parties aim to contribute to this. Stellantis and TheF Charging want to create a comprehensive European network of charging stations to promote electric mobility. Optimising the user experience is central to this. Over a thousand owners or users of sites in Europe have been identified by the two companies to contribute to this.
The facilities the companies plan to build are targeted at locations where there is a high demand for charging facilities. These include city centres, public institutions such as hospitals and schools, transport hubs including ports, airports and train stations, leisure facilities such as sports and health centres, hotels and restaurants, and retail outlets.
Over 15,000 locations in Europe
The network should eventually consist of over 15,000 locations in Europe, collectively comprising some two million parking spaces. Stellantis and TheF Charging will jointly develop and promote this network until at least 2025. The first charging stations are planned in Italy. The installation of these stations is still scheduled for this year. After that, the network should spread across the rest of Europe.
As part of their collaboration, Stellantis and TheF Charging are also aiming to create a charging network that provides CO2-neutral energy. In time, they intend to extend this approach to the entire value chain.
Production of lithium-ion batteries
Stellantis also announced a joint venture with LG Energy Solutions. The parties want to start producing battery cells and modules for the North American market. The parties intend to jointly build a new battery factory in the United States for this purpose. Free2Move eSolutions, a joint venture between Stellantis and NHOA (formerly operating as Engie EPS) focused on e-mobility, is involved as a potential hardware supplier.
Stellantis aims to supply at least 40% of its vehicles in the US market as electric vehicles by 2030. The joint venture with LG Energy Solutions should help achieve this goal.
The batteries produced at the new plant - the location of which is not yet known - are therefore intended for factories in the United States, Canada and Mexico where Stellantis assembles electric vehicles. These include both plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles.
Parties have been working together for some time
Stellantis and LG Energy Solutions are no strangers to each other and have been working together for some time. For instance, back in 2014, Stellantis - then still operating as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles - partnered with LG Energy Solutions to produce a lithium-ion battery pack for the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.
"This announcement is further evidence that we are rolling out our aggressive electrification roadmap and following up on the commitments we made during in EV Day event in July," explained Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis. Stellantis pledged at EV Day to promote and simplify e-mobility globally. This includes offering a full range of charging solutions for individuals, companies and fleet managers to manage electric vehicles.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Image: Pixabay / geralt
