There will be no new hydrogen Vauxhall vans in 2025, as Stellantis has pulled the plug on the development programme. The company had planned to launch a Vauxhall Movano and Vivaro van with hydrogen fuel cell technology, with production due to start as soon as this summer.
The programme had progressed to the point that prices had been announced, with the large Vauxhall Movano Hydrogen originally planned to launch in spring of 2025, costing £66,450. This was to sit alongside a medium hydrogen Vauxhall Vivaro that was originally revealed at the 2021 CV Show. That had made it to production in left-hand drive form but had yet to make it to right-hand drive.
Lack of infrastructure
The cancellation of the programme comes due to a variety of reasons, says Stellantis, namely a ‘limited availability of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, high capital requirements, and the need for stronger consumer purchasing incentives,’ according to a statement. In other words, it was to expensive and you can’t refuel hydrogen vans anywhere.
The announcement affects all Stellantis brands, as the hydrogen vans were set to appear with different badges in different markets. Vauxhall was set to be the pioneer in the UK, with others potentially due to follow the Movano and Vivaro if the programme had been a success. The intention was to offer a single high-spec trim, a choice of L3H2 and L4H3 sizes and a 311-mile range with a five-minute refuelling time.
The brands had been bullish about their attempts to crack the hydrogen market, which is something that has remained elusive in the smaller vehicle arena. Stellantis’s chief operating officer for Enlarged Europe, Jean-Philippe Imparato, said: ‘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.’
This is in some contrast to the punchy approach taken by senior vice president for commercial vehicles, Xavier Peugeot, at the end of 2024 when he said: ‘To us, this is reality. If you want to purchase a mid sized hydrogen van you can have it tomorrow. It is ready and it will be the same in the coming weeks with the large van.’
Limited options
Hydrogen remains on the table for a small number of manufacturers, with Renault still intending to launch a Master H2-Tech with a fuel cell. This is also tabled to launch in 2025, with prices and UK details still yet to be confirmed.
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