Stellantis will launch three hydrogen-battery hybrid commercial vans through its subsidiaries, Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel, providing the best of the FCEV and BEV world.
The automobile industry’s most important and high-priority research is zero-emission vehicles. However, although there has been a huge rise in battery-electric vehicle manufacturing, the hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain still can’t gain traction, despite the advantages.
But what if you pack them together in a battery-hydrogen hybrid? That’s exactly what Stellantis did with its new portfolio of commercial vans due to arrive before the end of 2021. The system has the advantages of both powertrains and seems like a very intelligent mobility solution.
The three models to gain the hydrogen-battery hybrid are the Citroën Dispatch, Peugeot Expert (pictured here), and Opel Vivaro. Each van will store 4.4kg of liquid hydrogen under the floor, enough for a 250-mile range. More importantly, though, the tanks can be refilled in only three minutes, just like in a gas vehicle.
However, unlike other hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, Stellantis’s vans pack a 10.5 kWh battery pack, capable of driving 30 miles with battery-only power.
Moreover, the hydrogen-battery drivetrain benefits from underfloor packing, providing more space inside. As a result, the Stellantis trio of vans can carry the same 1,100kg payload and 6,100 liters of cargo as the ICE-powered models.
The hydrogen-battery Citroën Dispatch, Peugeot Expert, and Opel Vivaro will have one electric motor, providing 134 HP and 192 lb-ft of torque. Hence, don’t expect high-performance levels – the top speed is only 81 mph (130 km/h).
One of the main problems with hydrogen vehicles is the shortage of refueling stations and docks, aiding in long-range travel. Although the refueling times are negligible, the lack of stations means that the customers have only specific places to refuel. The production of hydrogen fuel is also complex and costly, so bringing down the production cost is an important problem that needs to be tackled efficiently.
Stellantis’s van business has grown rapidly, with the company delivering over 100,000 vehicles in Europe in just two months. As a result, Stellantis will offer multiple propulsion systems, with medium- and long-wheelbase versions available.
The company has already built prototypes and started testing, with left-hand drive vans starting production under Opel Special Vehicles in Germany. The company says that customer demand for longer-range vans is why the company is building hydrogen-cell variants of its models.
Stellantis didn’t release pricing information nor when the vans will be available for purchase. We wait to hear about pricing information and availability soon.
