Stellantis says it has hydrogen-powered vans ‘ready to go’ and is preparing to roll out the first UK models in the opening three months of the year.

Mega car manufacturing group Stellantis combines Groupe PSA’s Peugeot, Citroen, DS Automobiles, Opel and Vauxhall with FCA’s Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, and Maserati.

The carmaker’s head of UK operations, Paul Willcox, until recently Vauxhall UK’s managing director, says that the firm remains committed to electrification but is continuing to develop other green alternatives.

“It’s in-market today in mainland Europe,” said Willcox, “and we are starting to trial that in the UK this quarter. We’re starting to bring across hydrogen trial vehicles with selected fleets this quarter and when the market is ready, we are ready to go.

“Obviously there are a few hurdles to overcome mainly around refuelling stations but in terms of the preparation of the market, I think we’re in great shape.”

According to the Stellantis website:

“Beyond electrification, Stellantis is pursuing a broad spectrum of energy carriers and powertrain technologies to address the widest range of mobility requirements. And this includes hydrogen.

“Stellantis has developed a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Zero Emission solution which combines the advantages of hydrogen fuel cells and electric battery technology in a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). This solution is particularly suited to the needs of light commercial vehicle (LCV) customers requiring long-range, fast refuelling and zero-emissions…all without compromising payload capacity.

“… we have designed a mid-power architecture solution which delivers a range of more than 400 kilometers (certification pending) and refueling in just 3 minutes. Hydrogen provides the energy needed for extended driving range, while a medium capacity battery provides the power for dynamic performance in addition to energy recovery and plug-in capability. 

“To preserve payload capacity, all components of the fuel cell propulsion system are external to the cargo space. The system can also be integrated with our existing battery electric LCV platform, meaning minimum variation and maximum synergies between the full battery-electric and the hydrogen versions.”

Reference articles:

https://www.stellantis.com/en/technology/hydrogen-fuel-cell-technology

Photo credit: Stellantis