Repsol launches battery swapping stations for EVs in Madrid

The Spanish energy company is working with Stellantis, Free2move, and US start-up Ample.

Repsol has opened the first stations in Madrid offering automated battery swapping for electric vehicles, a technology that promises to cut charging times to just five minutes.

 The pilot project begins with three Repsol service stations in the Madrid region. The first, in Montecarmelo, is already operating, while two more are expected to follow soon.

Ample’s modular stations can be installed in as little as three days. Drivers of adapted models, such as the Fiat 500e, can exchange a depleted battery for a fully charged one in minutes, avoiding the wait associated with conventional fast charging. Free2move is deploying the technology in its car-sharing fleet, giving customers access to vehicles with minimal downtime.

A push to speed up electric mobility

Battery swapping is seen by some in the industry as a potential game-changer for fleet operators, taxis, and shared mobility providers, where vehicle availability is critical. While the technology has been tested in markets such as China, it remains relatively new in Europe.

Repsol says the initiative strengthens its strategy of positioning service stations as hubs for multiple energy services. The company already operates more than 2,600 public charging points in Spain, including over 1,000 at its filling stations, alongside its investments in renewable fuels.

Speaking at the launch, Oliver Fernández, Repsol’s head of electric mobility, said the project demonstrates the company’s willingness to collaborate with innovative partners. Ample’s CEO Khaled Hassounah described battery swapping as “as fast, affordable and convenient as a traditional refuelling.”