Commercial vehicles are essential for our economy and society. They transport goods, deliver services, and support various industries. However, they also have a significant environmental impact, as they consume large amounts of fossil fuels and emit greenhouse gases. Many governments, businesses, and consumers are looking for cleaner and greener alternatives to power these vehicles.
One of the most promising solutions is electric commercial vehicles (ECVs), which run on electricity instead of diesel or gasoline. ECVs offer many benefits, such as lower operating costs, reduced noise pollution, and zero tailpipe emissions. They also have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance than conventional vehicles.
However, not all automakers are equally prepared for the transition to ECVs. Some are lagging behind, while others are leading the way. One of the latter is Stellantis, the global automaker formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group in 2021. Stellantis has a strong presence in the zero-emission commercial vehicle segment, which includes electric vans, pickups, trucks, buses, and chassis cabs.
According to its latest report, Stellantis sold more than 30,000 ECVs in Europe in the first half of 2021, achieving a market share of 41.2 percent. This makes it the undisputed leader in this segment, ahead of its competitors such as Volkswagen, Renault, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz.
How did Stellantis achieve this remarkable feat? And what are its plans for the future? Let’s take a closer look at the factors that make Stellantis a dominant force in the ECV market.
A diverse and competitive portfolio
One of the key strengths of Stellantis is its diverse and competitive portfolio of ECV models, which cover all segments from small to large. The company has 14 ECV models on the market in Europe, offering various battery sizes, payloads, driving ranges, and configurations. This allows it to meet different customer needs and use cases, from urban delivery to long-haul transportation.
Some of the most popular ECV models from Stellantis include:
- The Peugeot e-Expert, the Citroën ë-Jumpy, and the Opel Vivaro-e are medium-sized electric vans that can carry up to 1,275 kg of payload and travel up to 330 km on a single charge. They have won several awards for their innovation, efficiency, and practicality, such as the International Van of the Year 2021.
- The Fiat E-Ducato is a large electric van that can carry up to 1,950 kg of payload and travel up to 280 km on a single charge. It is designed for professional services and last-mile logistics, with a modular battery system that can be customized according to the customer’s needs.
- The Peugeot e-Boxer and the Citroën ë-Jumper, are also large electric vans that can carry up to 1,890 kg of payload and travel up to 340 km on a single charge. They are suitable for various applications, such as construction, catering, or emergency services.
- The Fiat Professional E-Ducato Chassis Cab is an electric chassis cab that can be fitted with different bodies and equipment according to the customer’s requirements. It can carry up to 1,885 kg of payload and travel up to 280 km on a single charge. It is ideal for urban delivery or special services.
These ECV models are not only attractive for their performance and versatility but also for their affordability. Stellantis offers competitive prices and incentives for its ECV customers, such as subsidies, tax breaks, or free charging stations. The company also claims that its ECVs have lower total cost of ownership than conventional vehicles, thanks to lower fuel costs, maintenance costs, and taxes.
