Stellantis Adding 12 New Commercial Vehicles to Market

Stellantis launches its light-commercial-vehicle offensive with a new service offering and a midsize van selection boasting internal-combustion, battery-electric and hydrogen-fuel-cell powertrain options.

The automaker group unveils 12 new LCVs covering its full range of renewed and electrified compact, midsize and large commercial vans under the brands Citroën, Fiat Professional, Opel, Peugeot and Vauxhall as part of the Pro One strategic offensive for the Stellantis Commercial Vehicles Business. The effort will start with the European market, but Stellantis expects a rollout into the U.S. with its Ram brand.

The renewed LCV lineup brings with it a second generation of zero-emission technologies, including in-house BEV systems that claim greater range without compromising carrying capacity.

Its BEV propulsion system for the compact vans claims best-in-class range of up to 330 km (205 miles). In the new midsize BEV vans, battery packs offer 50 or 75 kWh of energy and up to 350 km (224 miles) of range. In the large van segment, a 110-kWh battery delivers best-in-class EV range of up to 420 km (261 miles). Additionally, fast charging at 150 kW claims to take the large van’s battery from 0% to 80% in less than one hour.

The improvements also extend Stellantis’ hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain capabilities. A second generation of hydrogen fuel-cell power in the midsize vans, launching in mid-2024, adopts Stellantis’s mid-power system and claims a segment record of up to 400 km (249 miles) of range. Hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion expands to the large vans in 2024 with the mid-power architecture, range up to 500 km (311 miles) and a refill time of five minutes.

Additional technologies across the range will include:

•           Regenerative braking system, activated via steering-wheel paddles, taking into account vehicle weight and road dynamics to maximize energy recovery.

•           A heat pump in BEV compact vans optimizing energy usage in cold conditions to maximize vehicle range.

•           New generation of human-machine interface (HMI) that enhances productivity and safety. Instrument clusters and center displays are larger and configurable by the driver.

•           Dynamic Surround Vision uses exterior cameras that provide a wide view around the vehicle, an aid for navigating traffic and crowded streets.

•           Wireless connectivity, activated when the vehicle is delivered, keeps drivers informed and managers connected with their fleets in real time. It enables preventive maintenance, eco-drive coaching, BEV routing, charge management and over-the-air software updates.

•           In compact vans, a new Smartphone Station connects to a dedicated app enabling the mobile phone to become a control panel for the vehicle, including interaction with steering-wheel buttons.

•           In large vans, class-leading Level 2 assisted driving via the combination of adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, lane centering and traffic-jam assist. Also, a new generation of ICE powertrains mates with an 8-speed automatic transmission for improved range and capability.

•           All-new commercial vans are equipped with full LED headlights for exemplary vision and safety.

A 400V e-Power Take Off brings electrification across the range of commercial vehicles. This draws its power from the installed traction battery instead of requiring a separate power source.

The Ram brand commercial-vehicle product lineup will be reinvigorated in the U.S. with the upcoming electrified van and pickups, including the Ram ProMaster BEV by the end of 2023 and the Ram 1500 REV in late 2024. The future portfolio includes hydrogen fuel-cell technology.

Xavier Peugeot, senior vice-president, Stellantis Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, says, “This second generation of zero-emission vans, in line with customer expectations and offering increased BEV autonomy, additional fuel-cell offer, 18 ADAS, full connectivity and innovations such as ‘electric Power Take Off’, will reinforce even further our current leadership in BEV vans and in all van segments.”