Cheaper electricity, Filosa's obsession

Cheaper electric cars: One of Antonio Filosa’s focuses (photo on the right), Stellantis’ top executive, is this. He emphasizes leveraging Chinese expertise and LFP batteries instead of the current NMC batteries.

Cheaper electric cars: An early sign from the Great Panda

In a European market showing strong momentum in electric vehicles (France accounts for 41% of the market share, Germany for 34%), Stellantis needs to catch up. There is room to do this by finally focusing on more affordable products. Some signs of the direction Filosa is taking have already appeared, though still subtle and requiring greater impact. For example, the Fiat Grande Panda is now available in a version with 400 km of range (and a 54 kWh battery) at a very competitive price. It costs 26,560 euros, a figure that French websites consider attractive compared to competitors. Take models of similar size like the R5 or Volkswagen’s small car series as examples. At these prices, competitors offer cars with just over 300 km of range—a significant difference.

Focusing on LFP batteries, the most logical solution

But it is from 2027 that this price-cutting campaign is expected to become more widespread. Stellantis is going all in on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, replacing nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries in many models. This was stated by Filosa himself during the third-quarter results conference call, which brought the first signs of recovery. Naturally, these batteries will be used in the small car lineup starting at 15,000 euros, as seen in the prototype of the Citroen 2CV. The LFP batteries will be manufactured in Zaragoza, Spain. They are less expensive than NMC batteries and last longer, although they offer lower energy density. According to Quattoruote, this solution is considered one of the two key strategies to regain competitiveness in Europe. The other is the new technical platform, STLA One, dubbed “the most competitive for B, C, and entry-level D segments.” In other words, cars from

The Great Panda is coming soon.

Cheaper electric cars thanks also to Leapmotor’s expertise

And then there’s the partnership with the Chinese company Leapmotor, whose budget-friendly electric vehicles have already proven their capability. Starting with the T03, the best-selling EV in 2026 and Vaielettrico’s Car of the Year. “The market remains challenging, with Chinese competition and a complex pricing landscape,” said Filosa, citing the strong demand for Bev in France, Germany, and the UK. This demand has been fueled by partner Leapmotor, which has quadrupled its production volumes. It has also begun manufacturing the B10 at Stellantis’ plant in Zaragoza, with the B05 scheduled for release in the first half of 2027. Efforts are underway to improve production capacity utilization and absorb fixed costs through super-competitive pricing—a skill Leapmotor has demonstrated. The challenge now is to bring Stellantis’ brands to those prices (or lower), also thanks to Chinese expertise, regardless of what.

Don’t say it

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