Stellantis, the oddly named conglomerate created in 2021 that introduced Fiat Chrysler and PSA collectively underneath one company roof, has by no means been a frontrunner of the EV revolution. Sergio Marchionne, who was the top of Fiat Chrysler earlier than the merger, begged folks to not purchase the primary version of the Fiat 500e as a result of he stated the corporate misplaced an excessive amount of cash on every automotive bought.
In North America, most individuals have by no means heard of Stellantis however are conversant in the Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, and Ram manufacturers, none of which is related to pushing the envelope on electrical vehicles. That’s about to alter. Ram is engaged on an electrical pickup truck to satisfy the problem from Ford and Chevrolet. Dodge says it has battery electrical variations of its Charger/Challenger muscle vehicles coming that may outperform even the mightiest of its legendary muscle vehicles. And Chrysler has teased a future battery electrical sedan which will or might not be referred to as the Airflow, a nod to a previous (and spectacularly unsuccessful) sedan launched in 1934.
In auto manufacturing as we speak, most firms begin with a platform, generally known as a instrument equipment. There are particular exhausting factors that must be standardized between numerous fashions so as to make them in giant numbers profitably. Issues like the place the entrance and rear wheels get hooked up to the chassis, the place the engine and transmission mounting factors are, and the place the vents for the local weather management system might be situated.
The vehicles constructed on the identical platform could look very totally different on the skin, however underneath the sheetmetal, they’ll have many issues in frequent. The wheelbase or width could fluctuate, however the wheels nonetheless get hooked up in the identical location, the engines and transmissions all bolt into the identical locations, and the ductwork behind the sprint is equivalent.
For electrical vehicles, the idea is identical, however the parts are totally different. There aren’t any engines or transmissions to put in, however battery packs, motors, inverters, and such are designed to suit a typical platform. One of the best present instance of that is the MEB platform utilized by Volkswagen for its ID. electrical vehicles. So far, it serves as the premise for the ID.3 hatchback sedan, the ID.4 and ID.5 SUVs, the ID.7 sedan, and the ID. Buzz. Put them aspect by aspect they usually look nothing like one another, however they share a typical platform.
Stellantis Introduces STLA Medium Platform
Chrysler Airflow Idea. Picture courtesy of Chrysler.
Stellantis has now launched particulars about its newest EV platform, often known as the STLA Medium, which it says will grow to be the premise for lots of the battery electrical fashions it plans to introduce within the subsequent few years. The corporate’s purpose is for all of the vehicles it sells in Europe to be BEVs by 2030. Its objectives for North America are extra modest, with half of its vehicles bought there to be battery powered by 2030. Stellantis says the STLA Medium platform is the precise measurement for 26 of the fashions it at the moment manufactures.
The corporate will meet the wants of all different fashions by utilizing one of many different BEV platforms it’s engaged on, often known as STLA Small, STLA Massive, and STLA Body. It appears a secure guess that final one is supposed for electrical pickup vehicles and vans.
“STLA Medium is meant to be manufactured in lots of international locations: France, Italy, Germany after which in North America in several areas,” CEO Carlos Tavares stated. Additional areas may very well be added at a later stage, based on Tavares.
In keeping with Automobile and Driver, the STLA Medium platform will characteristic 400-volt structure and 20% to 80% battery recharging instances of about 27 minutes utilizing a DC quick charger. Two battery sizes might be supplied. The bigger battery can have a usable capability of 98 kWh, which ought to present for a variety of about 370 miles utilizing the EPA commonplace. A smaller battery will even be supplied. Stellantis has offered no particulars however says it would have an EPA vary of round 265 miles (which is exactly the vary of the present Chevy Bolt). Each battery packs can have the identical exterior dimensions, the higher to advertise environment friendly set up into the STLA Medium platform.
FWD or AWD
Courtesy of Stellantis
Stellantis says the brand new platform might be able to dealing with twin motors. Automobiles with one motor might be front-wheel drive. Energy numbers are anticipated to vary from 214 horsepower (160 kW) as much as 382 horsepower (285 kW). No acceleration or torque info has been given.
Automobile and Driver says the primary automotive bought in North America is predicted to be a sedan that may carry the Chrysler badge, though whether or not will probably be referred to as Airflow or not is unknown. No matter it’s, it gained’t be in showrooms any time quickly. The corporate does say the platform can have “excessive off-road functionality,” which strongly suggests it would discover its manner right into a Jeep branded car ultimately. Stellantis did exhibit a idea electrical Jeep referred to as the Recon final yr that intently resembles the look of the brand new Ford Bronco and the upcoming Scout off-road autos from Volkswagen.
The journal first stated 2026 was the yr the primary STLA Medium based mostly car would arrive in North America, however Stellantis has since backed away from naming any date when the automotive is likely to be out there. It did say it expects the brand new platform to be the premise for round 2 million new vehicles by 2030. The corporate bought 6 million vehicles final yr.
Why 400 Volts?
A couple of years in the past, 400 volts was the usual of selection for many electrical vehicles. In keeping with Automobiles Information, Tesla makes use of 350 volts for the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin X, 375 volts for the Mannequin S, and 400 volts for the Mannequin Y. However issues are altering as producers start switching to 800-volt architectures. Though they price extra to engineer, they enable vehicles to cost considerably sooner.
The upper voltage creates a decrease present, which reduces warmth. That in flip reduces energy calls for from battery cooling methods. Decrease present additionally means charging cables might be thinner and fewer cumbersome, whereas some electrical parts within the automotive will also be thinner and smaller, making the automotive lighter and extra environment friendly.
Hyundai simply introduced it’s investing $80 billion to up its EV recreation. A big a part of that may go to the event of its new 800-volt Built-in Modular Platform that may exchange the E-GMP platform that has been the muse of most of its electrical vehicles presently in the marketplace.
So, why is the STLA Medium designed across the 400-volt commonplace? Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares informed the press this week the primary purpose the corporate determined to go in that route was to assist preserve the upcoming EV fashions reasonably priced. He did say that the STLA Medium platform was designed to just accept an 800-volt system, so it’s doable to introduce that improve sooner or later. The brand new platform can also be designed to just accept different powertrain configurations, which leaves the door open for plug-in hybrid fashions if there’s a demand for them.
The corporate says the STLA Medium platform might be suitable with new battery applied sciences as they grow to be out there, whether or not which means solid-state batteries or people who keep away from the usage of nickel and/or cobalt. The primary automotive to make use of the brand new platform would be the subsequent version of the Peugeot 3008.
The Takeaway
The response among the many steady of writers right here at CleanTechnica is the sound of 1 hand clapping. Whereas it’s good to see Carlos Tavares lastly taking EVs severely, the brand new platform breaks no new floor and nonetheless has one foot planted previously. There may be little sense that Stellantis is pushing to be a frontrunner of the EV revolution fairly than a follower on a path blazed by others. Will the STLA Medium platform be ok? Ask us in 2026.
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