Stellantis has announced a $29.5 million investment in state-of-the-art wind tunnel technology aimed at improving the mileage of future electric vehicles from the Jeep, Dodge, and Ram brands. The upgraded wind tunnel features innovative Ground Plane (MGP) technology that optimizes airflow around the vehicle's wheels and tires, a significant contributor to aerodynamic drag. By reducing this drag, Stellantis hopes to increase the range of its EVs and lessen the need for larger, heavier batteries, ultimately lowering costs and enhancing efficiency.

The new wind tunnel allows vehicles to remain stationary while all four wheels operate on air-cushioned belts, simulating real-world driving conditions. According to Marc Champine, senior vice president of North American Engineering Technical Centers at Stellantis, these advancements will benefit Stellantis brands on a global scale. He emphasized the importance of increasing EV mileage for consumers considering the switch to electric vehicles.

As part of its "Dare Forward 2030" strategy, Stellantis aims for 50% of its sales in the U.S. and 100% of its sales in Europe to be fully electric by the end of the decade. The company plans to launch 75 EV models globally and sell 5 million EVs per year.