Stellantis Joins in Paris Hydrogen Taxi Launch
Stellantis has teamed up with a Paris mobility company to supply 50 hydrogen powered taxi vehicles able to carry wheelchair users.
The automaker, claiming the title of the world’s first mass-market manufacturer of hydrogen-powered commercial and passenger vehicles, will provide the modified people carriers to Hype, an independent company in hydrogen mobility solutions, for a pilot scheme to assess the commercial viability. These vehicles, which can accommodate five passengers including one in a wheelchair, or six passengers without a wheelchair, have been adapted from the passenger versions of the Peugeot e-Expert and Citroën ë-Dispatch vehicles, manufactured at Stellantis’ Hordain site, in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
The Stellantis hydrogen vehicles claim a 249 mile range, 3-minute refueling time, zero emission and no compromise on the vehicle load capacities. Another feature of these vehicles is that they are electric hybrids, comprising a reasonably-sized rechargeable battery and a hydrogen fuel cell system.
As part of their partnership, Stellantis and Hype will also have the capacity to deploy up to 1,000 PRM hydrogen taxis by the end of 2024. These potential additional vehicles are linked to obtaining the “Parisian PRM taxi” operating licence, currently being introduced by the French authorities. Xavier Peugeot, director of the Stellantis LCV, said: “With these Peugeot e-Expert Hydrogen and Citroën ë-Dispatch Hydrogen vehicles, we are happy to further strengthen our leadership in zero-emission Vans, via our partnership with Hype, focused on people with reduced mobility.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
