In the torture chambers of e-mobility

At Fiat's Mirafiori plant in Turin, which is steeped in tradition, the European Stellantis brands are preparing for the electric future. The Stellantis Battery Technology Center was opened there and drive batteries of electric cars, mostly lithium-ion batteries, are maltreated. They are heated to 60 degrees, then cooled back down to minus 20 degrees, sprayed with water and heated up again. The test engineers want to know whether the batteries still work reliably, whether the housings are tight and whether the capacity does not suffer.

Not only the quality of the batteries is tested here. Many of the 100 employees at the test center are also involved in the development of battery management systems. Stellantis has invested 40 million euros in Mirafiori. "This is day one for the new mobility," says Ned Curic, the Stellantis Group's top engineer and chief developer at the opening of the test center. "We have a unique opportunity right now to redefine mobility." And the group is also working on an e-car under 30,000 euros. (aum/gr)