Stellantis has cancelled its hydrogen fuel cell development programme, due to the lack of prospects in the hydrogen market.
The firm was set to launch a range of hydrogen-powered medium and large vans later this year.
Jean-Philippe Imparato, chief operating officer for enlarged Europe at Stellantis, said: “In a context where the company is mobilizing to respond to demanding CO2 regulations in Europe, Stellantis has decided to discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development program.
“The hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of mid-term economic sustainability.
“We must make clear and responsible choices to ensure our competitiveness and meet the expectations of our customers with our electric and hybrid passenger and light commercial vehicles offensive.”
Stellantis also cited a lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, a lack of consumer incentives, and the high capital requirements associated with the technology.
It does not anticipate that hydrogen fuel cell light commercial vehicles (LCVs) will be adopted before the end of the decade.
Peter Golding, CEO at FleetCheck, said: “We have been arguing for some time that hydrogen has a potentially important part to play in the future of zero emissions vehicles, especially in the light commercial sector where electrification is proving difficult for many businesses.
“The Vauxhall van promised a very real opportunity for that to happen and the news their parent company Stellantis has decided to halt all production plans until at least the end of the decade is a major blow.
“We believed the UK launch was imminent.
“We talk to operators every day who would like to electrify their van fleet but are hitting issues with range, payload and charging times.
“The promise of hydrogen is that it offers zero emissions without any of these compromises, and the Vauxhall proposition was the opportunity to try this in the form of a familiar vehicle from a major manufacturer.”
Stellantis will redirect research and development resources and staff to other projects, and will not reduce staffing at the Hordain and Gliwice plants, where the hydrogen LCVs were set to be produced.
