Stellantis patented an electric towing dolly designed to reduce the load on smaller vehicles by carrying trailer weight and powering movement with an onboard battery and electric motor.
The automotive group secured U.S. Patent No. 12,779,916 on November 3, 2026, after filing the application in 2023. Electrek reported the details of the intellectual property filing.
- The dolly utilizes a ball hitch or fifth-wheel plate to support trailer weight while an integrated electric motor and battery propel the unit.
- An autonomous control setup relies on cameras, sensors, and controllers to manage regenerative braking, AI-assisted steering, and traction control.
- Features include four-wheel electronic steering, independent drive acceleration and braking, and sway control to keep the trailer stable.
By taking on a large share of the traction, weight, braking, and general management, the dolly could eliminate the need for lead vehicles to feature heavy-duty suspensions, massive brakes, or powerful engines.
Stellantis refers to the primary automobile as a lead vehicle. The dolly is built to trail behind various models, including the Fiat 500e produced by Stellantis.
The patent outlines a compact footprint featuring side walls resembling a truck bed. This layout gives users truck-like utility when required, while allowing them to drive a smaller, more affordable, and fuel-efficient car during daily commutes.
Critical performance questions remain regarding the necessary battery capacity, the maximum weight the unit can haul, and how the system will handle long steep upgrades or emergency braking scenarios.
The patent publication does not constitute a formal product release. No evidence currently indicates that Stellantis plans to manufacture or sell the system commercially.
