In a pioneering move towards accelerating electric mobility, Fiat has unveiled Spain’s first fast battery swap station for electric vehicles in Madrid. Launched in collaboration with American battery technology firm Ample and Stellantis-owned car-sharing platform Free2move, the pilot project marks a major milestone in EV infrastructure development.
The initiative introduces a new level of convenience for electric vehicle users: battery swaps in just five minutes, eliminating the traditional waiting times for charging. This service will be available exclusively for Fiat 500e electric models, initially integrated into Free2move’s Madrid-based car-sharing fleet.
Revolutionizing Urban EV Use
Instead of plugging in to charge, Fiat 500e drivers can simply swap their depleted battery for a fully charged one at the station. The entire process is managed via a mobile phone application, offering an intuitive and efficient user experience.
“This technology ensures that users are always ready to drive—no waiting, no charging,” said Fiat in a statement. “The aim is to simplify urban electric mobility and remove one of the main barriers to EV adoption: charging time.”
Fleet Expansion Underway
Currently, 40 Fiat 500e vehicles in the Free2move fleet are participating in the pilot project. That number will increase to 100 vehicles in the coming months, making this one of the most ambitious battery swap initiatives in Europe to date.
Free2move, which operates car-sharing services in major cities across Europe and the U.S., is a brand under Stellantis, the global automotive group to which Fiat also belongs.
Madrid: A Strategic Launchpad
The decision to launch the project in Madrid aligns with the city’s aggressive climate strategy. The Spanish capital has pledged to cut CO₂ emissions by 65% by 2030, making it an ideal testing ground for sustainable mobility solutions.
The project also supports Spain’s national target of having 5.5 million electric vehicles on the roads by 2030, a goal that requires innovative infrastructure and public-private partnerships.
A Model for the Future?
While battery swapping remains rare in Europe, Fiat’s move could signal a shift in how automakers think about EV usability—especially in densely populated urban areas. If successful, the Madrid pilot could become a model for other cities seeking to boost EV adoption without waiting for large-scale charging networks to catch up.
As Fiat, Ample, and Free2move lead the charge in Spain, the message is clear: the future of electric mobility may be faster, simpler, and more flexible than ever before.
Source: Stellantis