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Stellantis, makers of Citroen, Fiat, Peugeot and Vauxhall vans, has officially opened the UK’s inaugural Green Automotive Hub, designed to bolster electric van production at its Ellesmere Port manufacturing facility.
Situated at Queen Elizabeth II Eastham docks in Merseyside, the Green Automotive Hub is the result of a collaborative effort between Stellantis, Suardíaz, and Peel Ports. The hub is specifically designed to facilitate maritime logistics service, streamlining the supply of parts to Ellesmere Port, the UK’s first EV-exclusive volume manufacturing plant.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the Green Automotive Hub as it welcomed a vessel from Vigo Port in Spain, the location of Ellesmere Port’s sister plant.
The maritime route spanning 891 nautical miles aims to significantly reduce annual CO2 emissions by 30% and slash energy consumption by 37% when compared to traditional road travel. This initiative aligns with Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 commitment to achieving carbon neutrality globally by 2038. Additionally, the route is anticipated to eliminate approximately 14,700 lorry journeys annually across the UK and continental Europe, covering an estimated distance of 17.5m kilometers (approximately 11 million miles).
Each ship servicing the route can accommodate up to 95 lorries, transporting around 47 different part lines of sheet metal components crucial for the assembly of all-electric compact vans at Ellesmere Port. The return journey sees the packaging used for parts transported back to Vigo Port for reuse, highlighting a commitment to sustainability.
A combined investment of £10 million from Peel Ports and Suardíaz was dedicated to recommissioning a berth at Queen Elizabeth II Eastham dock, along with installing the necessary infrastructure for processing Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) ships and their cargo.
Ellesmere Port, recognised as the UK’s premier EV-only volume manufacturing plant, officially commenced electric van production in September following a £100 million investment to transform the facility.
The plant currently produces small vans under Vauxhall Combo Electric, Peugeot E-Partner, Citroën E-Berlingo, and Fiat E-Doblo models, with plans to expand production to include a range of electric passenger vehicles across Stellantis ProOne brands from 2024.
The newly formed Stellantis Pro One division of manufacturers Citroen, Fiat Professional, Opel, Peugeot and Vauxhall, has revealed the complete overhaul of its compact, mid-size and large commercial vans.
In total thare are 12 vehicles new vehicles adopting a new range of electric drivelines, improved safety features, more ADAS and greater connected tech.
“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,” said Xavier Peugeot, senior vice president, Stellantis Commercial Vehicles Business Unit.
The most notable change is to the line-up of the large vehicles that have been electrified with a new in-house built driveline. Previously, and prior to the merger of Fiat Chrysler (FCA) with Peugeot-Citroen (PSA), the Fiat e-Ducato used its own electric motors and systems, while the large Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Relay, as well as the Vauxhall Movano Electric, were adapted by a third-party. Now, all vehicles are based on the same platform with a 110kWh battery delivering a claimed range of up to 261 miles (420km) with rapid charging abilities of up to 150kW.
A second generation of compact electric vans sees their battery range increase up to 205 miles (330km) while the medium BEV vans get a range of up to 224 miles (350km).
Stellantis has also renewed its hydrogen fuel cell ambitions with a second generation of a hydrogen powerplant in the medium vans. The hydrogen fuel-cell, due to launch in Europe in mid-2024, adopts a Stellantis exclusive “mid-power” system that acts as a hydrogen hybrid range extender with a range of up to 249 miles (400km) in the medium vans and the introduction of a similar system in the large vans with a range up to 311 miles (500km).
In addition to the new Citroen vans, new Peugeot van models, revamped Vauxhall vans and refreshed Fiat Professional vans, there’s also a new 400V e-Power Take Off (ePTO).
The ePTO will help to enable bodybuilders to apply the same solutions they have become accustomed to on diesel (ICE) vehicles to the new electric models. The need for secondary power supplies will not be necessary as accessories including tail lifts can be powered from the traction battery. This will improve the vehicle’s payload and give drivers a better view of the vehicle’s power management.
Stellantis has announced the creation of a new commercial vehicle business unit called Pro One that will combine the offerings of Citroën, Fiat, Opel, Peugeot and Vauxhall as well as Ram in North America.
Pro One will see the development of vans, pickup trucks and micro-mobility options as the company heads towards electrification and zero emission products. Along with zero tailpipe emission commercial vehicles, the unit will focus on connected converter ecosystems, connected vehicle technologies and the business partnership offering it presents to its customers in order to their business efficiency, lower their costs and increase profitability.
The outputs of Pro One currently account for one-third of Stellantis Net revenues with 1.6m unit sales per annum. Pro One plans hope to double the commercial vehicle revenues to €90bn by 2030, compared to 2021. By which time they expect to have a 40% electric vehicle sales mix and to be generating €5bn in service revenues.
“We are launching Pro One to leverage our undeniable commercial vehicles leadership with the concept – six brands, one force – as this business accounts for one-third of Stellantis Net revenues,” said Jean-Philippe Imparato, head of the Stellantis Commercial Vehicles Business Unit.
“As customer expectations grow more complex and diverse, we are here to address each specific need with a dedicated solution. Our mission is to stand side by side with our customers around the world and deliver the products and services that help them thrive,” Imparato added.
The Pro One strategy is also includes a pilot project for the retrofitting of internal combustion engine vans (ICE) to electric vehicles. The retrofit program with Qinomic, announced in December 2022, aims to extend the life span of ICE vans with an affordable electric conversion.
The launch of Pro One coincides with a complete overhaul of the light commercial vehicles in each of the brand’s portfolios. In the UK, Citroën, Fiat, Peugeot and Vauxhall will all get brand new versions of the small, medium and large vans with a brand new electric platform for the large vans that include the Citroen e-Relay, Fiat e-Ducato, Peugeot e-Boxer and Vauxhall Movano Electric.
The range will be boosted by the arrival of a new e-Power Take Off (ePTO) for use with conversions. The ePTO will enable accessories like tail lifts and refrigeration units to be powered directly from the traction battery. This removes the need for additional batteries and makes the power management of the entire vehicle more efficient and predictable. Stellantis also says it will have 100% of its new vans and pickups connected by the end of 2023, and will begin providing over-the-air updates from 2026 onward.
