Fiat has rolled out an electric vehicle (EV) battery swap programme in Madrid.

Battery swapping programmes have long been anticipated as a solution to lengthy EV charging times.

Fiat implemented removable battery packs from tech firm Ample, on a fleet of 500e EVs.

Ample’s batteries were designed as drop-in replacements for original EV batteries.

The vehicles are provided to customers of Stellantis’ car sharing division, Free2move, with the first battery swap station now operational, and 40 vehicles already in the fleet.

Fiat hopes to grow the fleet to 100 vehicles by mid-2025.

Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat, said: “At Fiat, we are committed to sustainable mobility. Guided by lateral thinking and a focus on simplicity, this new battery swapping technology reflects these values.

“It significantly reduces the fear of depleting battery mid-trip and dramatically cuts recharge time, delivering a seamless and effortless experience for drivers.”

Madrid is a leading city for EV adoption in Spain, and is committed to reducing emissions by 65% by 2030.

Ample claims that its battery swapping stations are between three and 10 times cheaper to build than a fast charging station, with an EV battery swap taking five minutes.

Francois said: “We are dedicated to thoroughly testing and analysing this concept in real-world conditions and aiming to expand it to private customers soon.

“That is why we believe deeply in this project and have chosen our iconic Fiat 500 to spearhead the initiative.

“It will provide invaluable insights for both our brand and the Group as we shape the future of mobility.”