Tag Archives: Stellantis

News

Solid-State Batteries Remain the EV Industry’s Elusive Game-Changer

For over a decade, solid-state batteries have been heralded as the next great leap in electric vehicle (EV) technology—a breakthrough that could render today’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistries obsolete. Yet despite years of hype and high expectations, that breakthrough remains just out of reach.

Still, the automotive industry isn’t giving up. Global giants like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis continue to invest heavily in solid-state battery development, drawn by the potential of EVs capable of traveling over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) on a single charge—along with the promise of improved safety, lighter weight, and more efficient packaging.

BMW Charges Forward

BMW is among the most active in the space, recently beginning tests of a specially-equipped i7 prototype fitted with solid-state cells developed by U.S.-based Solid Power. These sulfide-based electrolytes are seen as key to unlocking greater energy density and thermal stability. According to BMW, these cells will play a major role in its upcoming Neue Klasse lineup—though full-scale production likely won’t begin until well into the 2030s.

Mercedes-Benz Takes It to the Streets

Not to be outdone, Mercedes-Benz has also begun real-world testing of solid-state batteries, retrofitting its flagship EQS sedan earlier this year with a pack developed by Factorial Energy. The result? A battery boasting 25% higher energy density than current models, in a more compact and lighter form factor.

“These benefits not only lead to longer vehicle ranges but also affect the vehicle design, for example the architecture,” explained Uwe Keller, head of battery development at Mercedes. “Solid-state cells are also less prone to overheating,” he added—highlighting the improved safety profile that makes this technology so attractive to automakers.

Stellantis Eyes a 2026 Test Window

Stellantis—parent company of brands like Jeep, Peugeot, and Fiat—is also partnering with Factorial Energy on its own solid-state battery push. Road testing is expected to begin in 2026. According to Anne Laliron, Stellantis’ SVP of tech research, “Solid state is the North Star in battery chemistry,” offering automakers a unique tradeoff: more range or fewer materials—both of which contribute to lower costs and reduced carbon footprints.

Japan’s Race to the Finish

While Europe and the U.S. continue testing, Japanese automakers are racing to be first to market. Toyota says it will begin production of solid-state batteries by 2027, with Nissan aiming for a 2028 launch. However, given Nissan’s recent internal struggles, timelines may shift—once again demonstrating how challenging commercialization of this tech can be.

The Road Ahead

Despite slow progress, the stakes couldn’t be higher. If the promises of solid-state batteries hold true—greater range, enhanced safety, faster charging, and better packaging—they could usher in a new era of electric mobility. But until the technology scales economically and proves reliable under mass-market conditions, the dream of a solid-state future remains just that: a dream.

Still, with some of the world’s largest automakers now testing real-world prototypes, that dream may finally be inching closer to reality.

Source: Automotive News

News

Are EU Green Rules Killing Affordable Cars?

Developing a new car for the European market has become a daunting task — not because of innovation demands, but due to the overwhelming pressure of regulatory compliance. As the European Union tightens its grip with ever-stricter rules on emissions, safety, and noise, automakers are warning that excessive bureaucracy is threatening not just vehicle affordability, but also the future of sustainable mobility.

John Elkann, Chairman of automotive giant Stellantis and also of Ferrari, revealed to Automotive News Europe that over a quarter of an engineer’s time at Stellantis is now spent solely on making vehicles compliant with EU rules. “If you look at our engineers, more than 25 percent just work on compliance, so no value is added,” Elkann stated, highlighting the mounting cost — both in labor and innovation.

The burden is only expected to increase. By 2030, cars in Europe will be required to emit an average of just 49.5 grams of CO₂ per kilometer — nearly half the target for 2025–2029. From 2035 onward, new vehicles emitting any harmful substances will be outright banned, marking a total phase-out of combustion engines.

While this legislation aims to steer Europe toward a greener future, it’s also pushing many vehicles — particularly smaller, more affordable ones — off the roads. Rising costs have forced automakers like the Volkswagen Group to discontinue compact city cars such as the VW up!, Skoda Citigo, and SEAT Mii. In 2019, over one million vehicles priced below €15,000 were sold in Europe. Today, that number has shrunk to a mere 100,000.

Elkann sees a solution in looking east — to Japan. He’s advocating for a European version of the Japanese kei car, a class of ultra-compact, lightweight vehicles that make up about 40% of Japan’s market. “There’s no reason why if Japan has a kei car… Europe should not have an E-Car,” he argued.

Former Renault CEO Luca de Meo echoed the sentiment, criticizing the current trend of oversized electric SUVs. “Driving around every day in an electric vehicle weighing 2.5 tons is clearly an environmental nonsense,” he noted earlier this year.

Despite the growing dominance of crossovers, some brands are succeeding with smaller offerings. Dacia, Renault’s no-frills budget brand, has carved out a 5.1% market share in the EU this year, thanks in large part to the lightweight and affordable Sandero. Even its SUVs remain relatively light, with the Bigster maxing out at just 1,400 kilograms.

The core dilemma is clear: in trying to build the greenest cars, regulators may be steering the market toward heavier, pricier models, inadvertently sidelining the very goal of reducing emissions. For many consumers, the choice will become either unaffordable electrics or keeping older, polluting vehicles longer — the opposite of what EU policy intends.

As calls grow for a more flexible, tiered approach to regulation — particularly one that fosters small, efficient urban vehicles — the question remains: will European lawmakers loosen the rulebook to make room for an “E-Car”? Or will red tape continue to strangle innovation and affordability in the name of progress?

If the future of European mobility is to be both green and accessible, something has to give.

Source: Automotive News Europe

News

Stellantis Hits the Brakes on EVs, Bets on Maserati–Alfa Romeo Alliance

In a bid to revive the fortunes of two of Italy’s most iconic automotive brands, Stellantis has announced plans to deepen cooperation between Maserati and Alfa Romeo. The move comes after a dramatic 57% drop in Maserati sales last year, which saw the luxury marque sell fewer than 12,000 vehicles — sparking rumors about a potential sale that the company has since firmly denied.

Despite persistent speculation, Stellantis has made it clear that a merger between Maserati and Alfa Romeo is not on the table. Instead, the strategy is to foster operational synergy between the brands, both of which are facing significant headwinds in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.

“Maserati is not for sale and will not be shut down,” a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed. “However, urgent action is needed.”

That action comes in the form of increased collaboration between Maserati and Alfa Romeo, which are geographically close — just 250 kilometers apart — and share similar technical and brand heritage. Santo Filici, who now heads both brands, revealed that the plan is currently under review and awaiting final approval from Stellantis’ new top leadership.

Executive Director Antonio Filosa is expected to meet with senior representatives from both brands on June 23 to formalize the initiative.

In an interview with Drive.com.au, Filici outlined the vision: the brands will jointly develop future models, aiming to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. While a full-scale merger is off the table — Alfa Romeo being positioned as a “premium” brand and Maserati as a “luxury” marque — the collaboration is intended to “find synergies wherever possible.”

Industry watchers say the move reflects Stellantis’ broader efforts to streamline operations across its sprawling portfolio of 14 automotive brands. Former CEO Carlos Tavares previously acknowledged that while the product lineup was strong, poor marketing and unclear positioning contributed to Maserati’s decline.

In one high-profile example, the fully electric Maserati MC20 was recently canceled amid findings that affluent customers still strongly prefer combustion engines. Additionally, the next-generation Quattroporte, intended to replace both the existing model and the Ghibli, has now been delayed until 2028.

Alfa Romeo, meanwhile, is also navigating troubled waters. The new iterations of the Stelvio and Giulia — originally planned as EV-only vehicles — are being reengineered to include internal combustion variants. The shift follows a broader industry trend of backtracking from all-electric ambitions due to uncertain consumer demand and infrastructure readiness.

With the luxury and premium automotive segments under pressure from both macroeconomic headwinds and shifting technological demands, Stellantis’ gamble on greater cooperation between Maserati and Alfa Romeo may prove to be a crucial test of whether tradition and innovation can be reconciled to save two of Italy’s most storied car brands.

Source: Drive.com.au