Stellantis ends hydrogen fuel cell program and van production

Stellantis, a car manufacturer, announced on Wednesday that it will discontinue its hydrogen fuel-cell technology programme and not launch a new range of hydrogen powered vehicles this year as the company does not see any development in the market at the mid-term.

The group said that the decision was made due to the lack of infrastructure for hydrogen refuelling, the high capital requirements as well as the need for greater incentives for customers.

Jean-Philippe Imparato said that the hydrogen market is a niche with no prospect of long-term economic viability.

Imparato stated that the automaker must "make clear, responsible choices" to maintain its competitiveness and to meet customer expectations with the electric and hybrid passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicle offensive.

The group stated that it did not expect the adoption of hydrogen-cell vans by the end of this decade.

Stellantis Pro One is scheduled to begin serial production in France and Poland this summer.

Stellantis said that the decision would not affect staffing levels at its production sites. The group said that all research and developments activities focused on hydrogen technology will be redirected towards other projects. (Reporting and editing by Cristina Carlevaro, Tomaszjanowski, and Mathias de Rozario, in Gdansk)

(source: Reuters)