Stellantis Reacts to European Hybrid Demand With 30 Model Options

Stellantis is ramping up its hybrid powertrain offerings in response to consumer moves away from battery-electric vehicles and to easier-to-live-with hybrid systems.

It announces it will be rolling out its latest dual-clutch-transmission (eDCT) “benchmark” hybrid technology across more of its brands to meet rising consumer demand. The automaker claims it will offer 30 hybrid models in Europe this year and plans to introduce six more through 2026.

Stellantis says it achieved a 41% European sales increase of hybrid models year-to-date 2024 versus year-to-date 2023 and expects continued increase in customer take rate with the upcoming new launches.

Its eDCT 48V mild hybrid system uses an integrated 21-kW electric motor to provide zero-emission travel when the internal-combustion engine is turned off during driving. During coasting and braking, the electric motor switches to a generator function, capturing kinetic energy and feeding electricity into the battery.

The system claims a up to a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to a combustion engine with an automatic transmission. Thanks to its modular design, the eDCT claims to also support plug-in electric vehicles thanks to a 93% commonality of components, changing only the electric drive module and inverter.

Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Stellantis chief operating officer for greater Europe, says: “This technology not only enhances the efficiency and performance of traditional combustion engines, it also propels us toward a future of lower emissions, extended vehicle range and overall affordability for our customers.”