Latest news with #ProOne
Economic Key
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Economic Key
Stellantis Halts Development of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology Program
Stellantis today announced its decision to discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development program. Due to limited availability of hydrogen refueling infrastructure, high capital requirements, and the need for stronger consumer purchasing incentives, the Company does not anticipate the adoption of hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicles before the end of the decade. As a result, Stellantis will no longer launch its new range of hydrogen-powered Pro One vehicles this year. Serial production was scheduled to start this summer in Hordain, France (medium-sized vans) and Gliwice, Poland (large vans). 'In a context where the Company is mobilizing to respond to demanding CO2 regulations in Europe, Stellantis has decided to discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development program,' explains Jean-Philippe Imparato, Chief Operating Officer for Enlarged Europe. '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.' This decision will not impact staffing at Stellantis' production sites. R&D activities related to hydrogen technology will be redirected to other projects. The current state of the hydrogen segment also presents financial challenges for various stakeholders. In this context, Stellantis has initiated discussions with the shareholders of Symbio to evaluate the current market consequences and to preserve the best interests of Symbio, in line with their respective obligations. تم نسخ الرابط
LeMonde
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- LeMonde
Stellantis withdrawal puts the French hydrogen industry at risk
In a major setback for the hydrogen sector and a new example of Stellantis' harsh methods, the automaker announced on Wednesday, July 16, its decision to "discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development program." Furthermore, it will not launch mass production of the Pro One hydrogen utility vehicles, which were previously scheduled to begin this summer at its factories in Hordain, France and in Gliwice, Poland. The main casualty of this decision is the start-up Symbio, in which Stellantis holds a 33% stake alongside Michelin and the auto parts supplier Forvia, which also manufactures hydrogen tanks. According to our information, Stellantis informed Symbio of this strategic reversal as early as May. Losing its main customer – the one for whom it had sized its hydrogen fuel cell "gigafactory" in Saint-Fons within the greater Lyon area, and one of its key stakeholders – the company had no choice but to initiate a conciliation procedure under the supervision of the commercial court to find a way out. Inaugurated in December 2023, the gigafactory produces hydrogen fuel cells for vans and hopes to supply those for heavy-duty trucks starting in 2027.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Vauxhall owner abandons hydrogen vehicle plans
The owner of Vauxhall has scrapped plans for hydrogen-powered vehicles after concluding there was 'no prospect' of making the technology profitable this decade. 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. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Reuters
a day ago
- Automotive
- Reuters
Stellantis discontinues hydrogen fuel cell programme and van production
ROME, July 16 (Reuters) - Carmaker Stellantis ( opens new tab said on Wednesday it would discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology programme and no longer launch hydrogen-powered vehicles this year, raising questions about the future of hydrogen subsidiary Symbio. The group said the decision was due to the limited availability of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, high capital requirements and the need for stronger purchase incentives for customers. "The hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of mid-term economic sustainability," Jean-Philippe Imparato, chief operating officer for enlarged Europe, said in a statement. Car parts suppliers Michelin ( opens new tab and Forvia ( opens new tab said Stellantis' decision came as a surprise and would have "serious operational and financial consequences" for Symbio, a joint venture in which Stellantis acquired a stake in 2023. Stellantis is its main customer, accounting for nearly 80% of Symbio's business volume, said Forvia. "Michelin's primary concern lies with the impact this will have on Symbio's employees, both in France and abroad," the tyremaker said in a statement. Symbio employs more than 650 people, according to its website. It opened a gigafactory in eastern France in 2023 as well as a new site in California. Stellantis said it has initiated discussions with Symbio shareholders to evaluate the current market consequences and to preserve the best interests of the joint venture, in line with their respective obligations. Imparato said the automaker had to "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". The group said it did not anticipate the adoption of hydrogen cell vans before the end of the decade. Serial production of Stellantis' new Pro One range was scheduled to start in the summer in Hordain, in France, and Gliwice, in Poland. The decision will not affect staffing at Stellantis production sites, the group said. It said all research and development activities focused on the hydrogen technology would be redirected to other projects.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Stellantis discontinues hydrogen fuel cell vans in Europe
Stellantis has announced it will discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development program. The program was targeting future sales of light commercial vehicles in Europe. It also said series production of hydrogen-powered Pro One vans in Hordain, France, and Gliwice, Poland, will end. In the UK market, Stellantis said last year it planned to start customer trials of the Vauxhall Vivaro Hydrogen light commercial vehicle. Stellantis said the decision was due to a number of factors including limited availability of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, high capital requirements, and the need for stronger consumer purchasing incentives. Stellantis also said it does not anticipate the adoption of hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicles before the end of the decade. As a result, Stellantis will no longer launch its new range of hydrogen-powered Pro One vehicles this year. Serial production was scheduled to start this summer in Hordain, France (medium-sized vans) and Gliwice, Poland (large vans). '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 program,' said Jean-Philippe Imparato, Chief Operating Officer for Enlarged Europe. '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.' Stellantis also said the decision will not impact staffing at Stellantis' production sites. R&D activities related to hydrogen technology will be redirected to other projects. Stellantis also warned that the 'current state of the hydrogen segment also presents financial challenges for various stakeholders'. In this context, 'Stellantis has initiated discussions with the shareholders of Symbio to evaluate the current market consequences and to preserve the best interests of Symbio, in line with their respective obligations'. "Stellantis discontinues hydrogen fuel cell vans in Europe" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
