Stellantis is pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle technology with a prototype Peugeot E-3008 that carries something quite different under its skin. In partnership with Saft, the battery subsidiary of TotalEnergies, the carmaker has fitted the SUV with a new system called IBIS, which is now undergoing proper road testing.
IBIS has been in the works for years, developed with support from French research institutions as well as engineering firms like E2-CAD and Sherpa Engineering. Back in 2022, the technology had its first outing in a stationary demonstrator, where it proved its technical viability and generated several patents.
Moving it into a fully operational car is seen as the next logical step in bringing the idea closer to production reality.
The clever bit about IBIS lies in how it simplifies the electric powertrain. Rather than using separate modules for the inverter and charger, these functions are integrated directly into the battery pack itself. By doing so, the battery can deliver power not only to the motor but also to the grid or to the car’s 12-volt and auxiliary systems, without relying on additional hardware.
This streamlined design has several knock-on advantages. Stellantis reports that efficiency improves by up to 10 per cent in WLTC testing, while peak power climbs by 15 per cent, delivering 172 kW instead of the usual 150 kW from the same size battery.
The system also trims around 40 kilograms in weight and frees up about 17 litres of space, giving designers more flexibility to shape the vehicle and its aerodynamics. Charging performance sees improvements too, with home charging times on a standard 7 kW AC wallbox cut from seven hours to roughly six, all while using about 10 per cent less energy.
There’s also a long-term sustainability angle. Because the system is contained within the battery itself, maintenance is easier, and the packs are far better suited for second-life use in stationary energy storage without requiring extensive reconditioning.
For Stellantis, the Peugeot E-3008 test mule is more than just a proof of concept. It signals a serious attempt to rethink how EVs are engineered, with IBIS offering a glimpse of lighter, more efficient and ultimately more cost-effective vehicles that could arrive in the coming years.
