Old Stellantis batteries reused in Italdesign electric car
Automakers are increasingly looking for new scenarios to use batteries from decommissioned electric vehicles. Stellantis has decided to give them a "second life" in projects related to mobility outside of mass transport.
Here's What We Know
One example is the collaboration with the startup Avathor, which has created a compact electric vehicle for wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility. The car, called Avathor One, was developed by Italdesign, part of the Volkswagen Group. This unusual alliance is explained simply: Avathor and Italdesign are based in Turin, where Stellantis has its headquarters and Mirafiori factory.
The old batteries are dismantled by Intent S.r.l., then the "living" cells are assembled into new units. The Avathor One uses 1.4 or 2.8 kWh units, providing a range of up to 50 kilometres. Maximum speed is limited to 10 kilometres per hour.
The production Avathor One, unveiled this year and growing out of the 2019 WheeM-i concept, gets a ramp at the rear, a retractable seat and joystick controls. At just 1,486mm in length, the electric car features LED optics, a reversing camera and collision avoidance sensors. It can negotiate gradients of up to 20 per cent and steps up to 8cm high.
Sales in Italy will start before the end of the year, in 2026 the model will be released in Spain, and in 2027 - in other markets.
Source: Stellantis
