Stellantis, in collaboration with Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, has presented IBIS, a groundbreaking intelligent battery innovation: the Intelligent Battery Integrated System. This integrated architecture eliminates the need for separate inverters and onboard chargers by embedding power electronics directly into the battery, setting a milestone for both mobile and stationary energy applications.
The innovation was presented through a fully operational prototype of the new Peugeot E-3008 built on the STLA Medium platform. This milestone is the result of several years of joint design, simulation, and advanced modeling developed by Stellantis and Saft, in partnership with E2-CAD, Sherpa Engineering, and leading French research institutions including CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, and Institut Lafayette. A first stationary prototype was initially deployed in 2022 to validate essential technical principles, successfully generating multiple patents, and the progression to a moving vehicle prototype now represents a decisive leap in maturity and applicability.
What makes IBIS distinctive is its capability to rethink the very architecture of the electric powertrain. Instead of treating the inverter and charger as peripheral elements, the technology integrates these functions directly into the battery system, making it independent of cell chemistry or platform. This unified design supports both AC and DC operation and is capable of powering the electric motor, connecting to the grid for bidirectional charging, and supplying ancillary and low-voltage functions. By reducing the complexity of the system, this approach opens the way for greater design freedom in vehicle integration and new standards in efficiency.
According to Stellantis, the first test results indicate significant performance gains. Energy efficiency improves by up to ten percent under WLTC conditions, while peak power output rises from 150 to 172 kW without increasing battery size. At the same time, the system allows for considerable packaging and weight benefits, with reductions of approximately 40 kilograms and an additional 17 liters of volume available for aerodynamic optimization or cabin space. On the user side, charging times decrease by about fifteen percent when using a standard 7 kW AC wallbox, cutting the time required from seven to six hours, while overall energy consumption during charging improves by ten percent. Maintenance procedures also become more straightforward, and the design facilitates the reuse of second-life batteries, which can be redeployed more easily in stationary applications without extensive reconditioning.
Ned Curic, Chief Engineering and Technology Officer of Stellantis, emphasized that simplification is at the core of innovation. By rethinking the architecture of the electric powertrain, the company has created a solution that is lighter, more efficient, and ultimately more cost-effective, ensuring that EV customers benefit from higher-performing and more affordable vehicles. Hervé Amossé, Executive Vice President Energy Storage Systems at Saft, underlined the significance of IBIS as a platform for the future. Integrating inverter and charging functions into the battery changes not only vehicles but also stationary storage systems, laying the foundation for smart, flexible, and scalable energy solutions adapted to an evolving market landscape.
The IBIS program entered its second phase in June 2025, supported by the French government under the France 2030 plan. Ongoing work now focuses on extensive road testing in real-world conditions, which could pave the way for commercial adoption of IBIS technology in Stellantis production vehicles by the end of the decade.
