Avathor One
Giving second lives to used car batteries has become a key priority in the auto industry, and Stellantis has found a particularly people-focused way to do it.
Instead of leaving end-of-life EV packs unused, the company is turning them into new mobility solutions beyond conventional cars.
One standout project is a partnership with Turin-based startup Avathor, which has developed a compact electric vehicle designed for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility.
Adding a twist to the story, the vehicle was styled by Italdesign, part of the Volkswagen Group. The unusual link between Stellantis and VW comes down to geography: both Avathor and Italdesign are based in Turin, which also hosts Stellantis’ Mirafiori facilities and its European headquarters.
Here’s how the process works: Stellantis collects used batteries from its EVs and sends them to Turin, where its circular-economy division SUSTAINera focuses on reuse.
Local partner Intent S.r.l. then disassembles the 15 kWh modules and repackages them into smaller 1.4 kWh and 2.8 kWh units. These go into the Avathor One, offering up to 50 km of range and a top speed of 10 km/h.
The Avathor One, launched in 2025, is the production version of Italdesign’s 2019 WheeM-i concept. It includes a rear ramp for wheelchair access, a pull-out bench, joystick controls, LED headlights, a rearview camera, and obstacle-detection sensors.
Despite measuring just 1,486 mm in length, it can tackle 20 percent gradients and even climb steps up to 8 cm high. The rollout will start in Italy later this year, expand to Spain in 2026, and reach other markets by 2027.
Stellantis’ battery reuse strategy extends further. Its SUSTAINera unit also supports energy-storage systems, including the ENEL X Pioneer project at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, which uses repurposed batteries to store renewable energy and is expected to cut CO₂ emissions by 16,000 tons over ten years.
The company isn’t alone in this circular-economy push. Nissan, Renault, BMW, Kia, Geely, Jaguar, Toyota, Honda, Skoda, and Audi are among the many automakers finding creative ways to give EV batteries a second life.
