Vauxhall owner abandons hydrogen vehicle plans
Stellantis, which also owns Fiat and Chrysler, said it was discontinuing a programme to develop hydrogen fuel cell vans because the market remained too 'niche'. It will instead focus on electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids to meet tough net zero targets imposed across Europe.
The company also blamed a lack of refuelling infrastructure, weak consumer demand and the large investments needed.
Stellantis had announced plans to launch a new range of hydrogen-powered vans this year via its Pro One division, with the vehicles set to be built in France and Poland.
But it has now scrapped this entirely and is reviewing its position in Symbio, a hydrogen fuel cell company in which it owns a 33pc stake.
Jean-Philippe Imparato, European operating chief of Stellantis, said: 'In a context where the company is mobilising to respond to demanding CO2 regulations in Europe, Stellantis has decided to discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development programme.
'The hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of mid-term economic sustainability.
'We must make clear and responsible choices to ensure our competitiveness and meet the expectations of our customers with our electric and hybrid passenger and light commercial vehicles offensive.'
Serial production of Stellantis's Pro One range was scheduled to start in the summer in Hordain in France, and Gliwice in Poland.
Stellantis said earlier this month that it may be forced to shutter vehicle plants owing to the risk of hefty EU fines for not complying with CO2 emission targets.
Stellantis said research spending on hydrogen-related projects would now be 'redirected' to other efforts.
The company is the latest to back away from hydrogen, which energy experts have warned would be expensive to produce en masse for fuelling transport or heating buildings.
This is because most hydrogen producers will make the gas via either electrolysis – where electrically powered plants separate the hydrogen and oxygen molecules that water is made of – or by converting natural gas, a process that generates carbon dioxide. Burning hydrogen releases less energy than burning gas.
Another source of hydrogen in future may be 'white' hydrogen that occurs naturally in the Earth's crust, deep underground.
But for the moment, most experts argue hydrogen should be directed towards heavy industries that would be difficult to decarbonise by other means because of the inefficient ways by which it is produced.
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