Stellantis, the oddly named conglomerate created in 2021 that introduced Fiat Chrysler and PSA collectively beneath one company roof, has by no means been a frontrunner of the EV revolution. Sergio Marchionne, who was the pinnacle of Fiat Chrysler earlier than the merger, begged individuals to not purchase the primary version of the Fiat 500e as a result of he mentioned the corporate misplaced an excessive amount of cash on every automotive offered.

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 automobiles. That’s about to vary. 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 automobiles coming that may outperform even the mightiest of its legendary muscle automobiles. And Chrysler has teased a future battery electrical sedan that will or will not be known as the Airflow, a nod to a previous (and spectacularly unsuccessful) sedan launched in 1934.

In auto manufacturing immediately, most firms begin with a platform, typically known as a device equipment. There are specific onerous factors that should be standardized between numerous fashions in an effort to make them in massive numbers profitably. Issues like the place the entrance and rear wheels get connected to the chassis, the place the engine and transmission mounting factors are, and the place the vents for the local weather management system will likely be positioned.

The automobiles constructed on the identical platform might look very completely different on the surface, however beneath the sheetmetal, they are going to have many issues in widespread. The wheelbase or width might range, however the wheels nonetheless get connected in the identical location, the engines and transmissions all bolt into the identical locations, and the ductwork behind the sprint is similar.

For electrical automobiles, the idea is identical, however the elements are completely different. There are not any engines or transmissions to put in, however battery packs, motors, inverters, and such are designed to suit a typical platform. The very best present instance of that is the MEB platform utilized by Volkswagen for its ID. electrical automobiles. To this point, it serves as the idea for the ID.3 hatchback sedan, the ID.4 and ID.5 SUVs, the ID.7 sedan, and the ID. Buzz. Put them facet by facet 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 change into the idea for lots of the battery electrical fashions it plans to introduce within the subsequent few years. The corporate’s aim is for all of the automobiles it sells in Europe to be BEVs by 2030. Its objectives for North America are extra modest, with half of its automobiles offered there to be battery powered by 2030. Stellantis says the STLA Medium platform is the suitable measurement for 26 of the fashions it presently 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 protected wager 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 numerous places,” CEO Carlos Tavares mentioned. Additional places could possibly be added at a later stage, in keeping with Tavares.

In accordance with Automobile and Driver, the STLA Medium platform will characteristic 400-volt structure and 20% to 80% battery recharging occasions of about 27 minutes utilizing a DC quick charger. Two battery sizes will likely be supplied. The bigger battery may have a usable capability of 98 kWh, which ought to present for a spread of about 370 miles utilizing the EPA commonplace. A smaller battery may also be supplied. Stellantis has supplied no particulars however says it should have an EPA vary of round 265 miles (which is exactly the vary of the present Chevy Bolt). Each battery packs may 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 will likely be able to dealing with twin motors. Vehicles with one motor will likely 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 data has been given.

Automobile and Driver says the primary automotive offered in North America is predicted to be a sedan that may carry the Chrysler badge, though whether or not it is going to be known as Airflow or not is unknown. No matter it’s, it received’t be in showrooms any time quickly. The corporate does say the platform may have “excessive off-road functionality,” which strongly suggests it should discover its method right into a Jeep branded car ultimately. Stellantis did showcase a idea electrical Jeep known 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 mentioned 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 could be accessible. It did say it expects the brand new platform to be the idea for round 2 million new automobiles by 2030. The corporate offered 6 million automobiles final yr.

Why 400 Volts?

A couple of years in the past, 400 volts was the usual of alternative for many electrical automobiles. In accordance with Vehicles 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 automobiles 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 elements 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 sport. A big a part of that may go to the event of its new 800-volt Built-in Modular Platform that may change the E-GMP platform that has been the muse of most of its electrical automobiles 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 motive the corporate determined to go in that path 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 attainable 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 will likely be suitable with new battery applied sciences as they change into accessible, whether or not meaning solid-state batteries or people who keep away from using 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 significantly, the brand new platform breaks no new floor and nonetheless has one foot planted up to now. There’s little sense that Stellantis is pushing to be a frontrunner of the EV revolution somewhat than a follower on a path blazed by others. Will the STLA Medium platform be ok? Ask us in 2026.

I do not like paywalls. You do not like paywalls. Who likes paywalls? Right here at CleanTechnica, we carried out a restricted paywall for some time, however it at all times felt unsuitable — and it was at all times robust to resolve what we must always put behind there. In idea, your most unique and greatest content material goes behind a paywall. However then fewer individuals learn it! We simply don’t love paywalls, and so we have determined to ditch ours.

Sadly, the media enterprise remains to be a troublesome, cut-throat enterprise with tiny margins. It is a unending Olympic problem to remain above water and even maybe — gasp — develop. So …