European automotive giant Stellantis has unveiled a complete refresh of its lineup of commercial electric vehicles across its six brands, with increased range on all models.
Stellantis, which was formed in 2021 through the merger of Italian–American conglomerate Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French PSA Group, boasts Europe’s leading range of zero emission commercial vehicles consisting of both battery electric and hydrogen fuel-cell.
This week, the company unleashed a refresh on 12 electrified compact, mid-size, and large commercial vans for the Citroën, FIAT Professional, Opel, Peugeot, and Vauxhall brands.
The new vans include the Citroën Berlingo, Jumpy, and Jumper; New Fiat Professional Doblò, Scudo, and Ducato; New Opel/Vauxhall Combo, Vivaro, and Movano; the new Peugeot Partner, Expert, and Boxer; and a new Ram ProMaster EV which is due by end of 2023.
Most importantly, however, is the fact that Stellantis has managed a range increase on all models, including a best-in-class range of up to 330km for compact vans.
Mid-size BEV vans are offered with battery packs of 50kWh or 75kWh for a range of up to 350km, while the large van segment boasts a 110kWh battery that guarantees best-in-class EV range of up to 420km.
“This 2nd generation of zero-emission vans, in line with customer expectations and offering increased BEV autonomy, additional fuel-cell offer, 18 ADAS, full connectivity, and innovations such as ‘electric Power Take Off’, will reinforce even further our current leadership in BEV vans and in all van segments,” said Xavier Peugeot, senior vice president for Stellantis Commercial Vehicles business unit.
Stellantis has also unveiled a second generation of hydrogen fuel-cell powered mid-size vans which will launch in mid-2024 and deliver a range of up to 400km. Stellantis will also debut a line of hydrogen fuel-cell large vans in 2024 with a range of up to 500km.
Stellantis also announced that it was partnering with French nuclear fuel cycle company Orano which will see the two companies launch a joint venture for recycling end-of-life EV batteries and scrap from gigafactories in Europe and North America.
The joint venture will capitalise on Orano’s low-carbon process that allows for the recovery of all materials from lithium-ion batteries as well as the manufacturing of new cathode materials.
According to the companies’ announcement, the joint venture will produce materials known “black mass” or “active mass” which can be refined in Orano’s hydrometallurgical plant set to be built in Dunkirk, France, so that the materials can be re-used in batteries, “thus closing the loop of a circular economy.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.