Stellantis halts plans for hydrogen vehicles

Just a few weeks after new CEO Antonio Filosa took over at the helm, Stellantis begins to rationalise the business in order to respond to the wave of crisis that is sweeping Europe's automotive sector and that will presumably emerge in full force in the half-year accounts on 29 July.

The group announced its decision to discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development programme. Due to the limited availability of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, high capital requirements, and the need for greater consumer purchasing incentives, the company does not plan to adopt hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicles before the end of the decade. Therefore, this year Stellantis will no longer launch its new range of hydrogen-powered Pro One vehicles.

Stellantis' series production of the new Pro One vehicle range ashould have started this summer in Hordain, France (medium-sized vans) and in Gliwice, Poland (large vans). This decision 'will have no impact on personnel at Stellantis' production sites,' reads a note. Research and development activities related to hydrogen technology will be redirected to other projects.

The current situation in the hydrogen segment also presents financial challenges for various stakeholders. Against this backdrop, Stellantis has initiated dialogues with Symbio's shareholders to assess the current market consequences and to best preserve Symbio's interests, while respecting their respective obligations. The group's announcement after the disastrous sales figures of the last month is fuelling selling at the Italian Stock Exchange with the share price losing more than 4%.