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Stellantis Fuel Cell Hydrogen technology hits the Streets *New Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen production ready Russelsheim, Germany is where Opel is headquartered. It’s also the location of a Centre of Excellence for Opel’s parent company Stellantis where development of zero emission commercial vehicle technology is undertaken. In recent years, the main focus here was on fuel cell hydrogen technology. The first versions have already hit the streets, with Fleet Transport being one of the chosen few to be offered a first drive in the brand new Vivaro-e Hydrogen. Prior to undertaking this great opportunity, future strategy plans for Stellantis were presented by Carlos Tavares, CEO of the relatively newly formed corporation that merged Groupe PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. He began by stating that the parent
for its engineers. Carlos mentioned that Russelsheim is taking the lead in full Fuel Cell Hydrogen (H2) technology in vans, a dual system with Battery Electric back up. In endorsing the promise, purpose, and potential of hydrogen, he said that ‘large fleets of hydrogen powered vans can operate efficiently, with one single point of refuelling and point of charge, adding up to a strong business case even for small to medium enterprises (SMEs)’. Asked whether there is collaboration between Stellantis and its van supply partner Toyota Europe in the H2 development, he said there wasn’t, with no future plans either. He also noted that while all this investment in new technologies is ongoing, it invariably means that the vehicles, products and services stemming from it will become more expensive due to the high demand and shortage of raw materials – hence the increase in price of electric Xavier Peugeot, Senior Vice-President Commercial cars and vans. Vehicles Business Unit, Stellantis Regarding the future of company and all of its brands are the two British factories in Ellesmere ‘extremely focused on green technology Port and Luton, significant investment to meet the EU’s zero-emission target is being poured into modernising these before 2030’. He added that this emisfacilities to produce BEV sion-free technology will extend right and H2 powered cars and across the Stellantis Commercial Vehicle light commercials. Not only models from compact to large vans and will these vehicles instantly from light duty to heavy duty pick-ups. serve the growing local “By 2024, our large sized vans will market (through national be Battery Electric (BEV) powered and brand Vauxhall) but they [we will] progress to [electric] pick-up will also cater for the loss trucks two years later (in North America of production capacity in through RAM),” he said, admitting that Russia, following stoppages with the latter products, comparable there in recent months. towing capacity is key – a big challenge One of the main
engineering challenges ahead is how to reduce the overall weight of BEVs, using more powerful and more compact batteries and reducing the number of raw materials used. He mentioned that back in the 1980s, cars averaged 800kg and are now weighing in at double that figure. In conclusion, Carlos praised all of the workforce, observing that the required solutions will be found ‘by everyone working together’. Xavier Peugeot, Senior Vice-President Commercial Vehicles Business Unit at Stellantis, reminded the assembled journalists that fuel cell technology has been worked on by Opel for twenty years. Along with BEV developments (include refurbishment), he said that the two power sources will meet the challenges of a changing world – even beyond the 2030 zero emission deadline. Among these challenges are city regulations, Low Emission Zones,
Hydrogen van in production
