Stellantis is involved in talks with the Italian government over the possibility of a new battery gigafactory being built in Italy to help with its e-mobility push, according to reports.
Reuters reported that the company is discussing conditions for the potential project with Rome and cited an anonymous source close to the matter.
“Discussions are just at the stage of an exchange on the principle of creating a gigafactory in order to cover future needs. These conditions will have to be studied with Italian authorities,” the source told Reuters, adding that nothing had yet been decided.
Stellantis was formed at the beginning of this year by the merger of FCA and PSA and Italy, home to Fiat, is a major carmaking hub for the firm.
Reuters noted that Italy is planning a green recovery plan led by government investment that includes allowance for a transition to cleaner energy and sustainable mobility.
The report said Stellantis Chief Executive Carlos Tavares and Chairman John Elkann held a virtual meeting last week with Italy’s industry minister Giancarlo Giorgetti.
Stellantis currently has two gigafactory projects in Europe, one in France and one in Germany, in a joint venture with a subsidiary of Total. However, analysts believe more capacity is needed to meet ambitious EV penetration targets later this decade.