Revolutionizing EV Charging in Urban Spain
As cities across Europe race toward sustainable transport solutions, Madrid is emerging as a frontrunner in electric vehicle (EV) innovation. With an ambitious plan to cut carbon emissions by 65% by 2030 and a national goal of 5.5 million EVs, Spain is embracing new technologies to overcome infrastructure challenges. One of the most promising innovations is modular battery swapping for EVs—a game-changing solution led by California-based tech company Ample. Their fast, efficient battery-swapping system is now live in Madrid, marking a significant milestone for urban electric mobility.
Ample Launches Battery Swapping Stations in Madrid
Backed by €9.76 million from Spain’s Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE), Ample has installed its first modular EV battery swapping stations in the Spanish capital. This funding was part of the Moves Singulares program, an initiative to accelerate the adoption of green transport technologies. The company’s battery-swapping stations allow drivers to fully charge their EVs in just five minutes. A process as fast and convenient as traditional gas refueling. With more stations planned, this deployment is only the beginning of a broader city-wide rollout.
Supporting EV Growth and Solving Charging Challenges
Madrid currently leads the country in EV registrations. However, urban charging infrastructure often falls short for high-use fleets and densely populated areas. Ample’s modular technology directly addresses these issues. Its fast-swap capabilities reduce EV downtime, ease range anxiety, and support fleet electrification. The stations can be installed within days and are compatible with multiple EV models. This makes them highly scalable and practical for city environments.
A Future-Proof Partnership with Stellantis
To expand its impact, Ample has partnered with Stellantis to introduce a Fiat 500e car-sharing service powered by battery swapping. Through collaborations with Stellantis brands like Free2move and Free2move Charge, Ample is creating a smart, adaptable EV ecosystem tailored to urban lifestyles. This bold step not only supports Madrid’s clean mobility goals but also sets the stage for wider European adoption of EV battery swapping technologies.
