A team comprising CNRS (the French National Centre for Scientific Research), Stellantis and Saft have unveiled a prototype of an energy storage battery that integrates the inverter and charger functions to create a battery that enhances the range of BEVs.

The prototype is known as the Intelligent Battery Integrated System (IBIS). With it, the electronic conversion boards that perform the power inverter and charger functions are mounted as close to the lithium-ion battery cells as possible. A control system enables AC for an electric motor to be produced directly from the battery.

The next step will be to build a fully functional prototype vehicle using the IBIS, which will be tested on Stellantis development benches and test tracks as well as on open roads. The aim is to make the system available on Stellantis brand vehicles before the end of this decade.

Saft will offer the stationary energy storage and renewable energy installations.

The IBIS project is funded by the Future Investment Plan, administered by ADEME (France’s Environment and Energy Management Agency) and coordinated by Stellantis. It brings together industrial partners Saft (TotalEnergies Group), E2CAD and Sherpa Engineering, as well as CNRS research laboratories (GeePs, SATIE, LEPMI) and Institut Lafayette.