Light commercial vehicles converted to electric drive will begin tests in April
By Redação AutoIndústria | Translated by Jorge Meditsch
With electric vehicle prices sky-high and a significant cost reduction years away, finding electric mobility more viable alternatives is a challenge for manufacturers. To solve this problem, they are even prone to expand their activities and services range.
One of the projects to electrify vehicle fleets in Brazil is happening at Stellantis, with the partnership of Senai, Weg and FuelTech. It does not involve a new vehicle or technology but the conversion of combustion-driven vehicles to electric drive.
“The proposal is to offer sustainable mobility and ensure the vehicle conversion quality with brand original equipment, providing safety, endurance and homologation’, says the manufacturer.
The first phase of the work started last year will concentrate on light commercial vehicles and benefit professionals and activities demanding up to 100 km urban rides. The first conversions will be done in Fiat Fiorino and Peugeot Partner Rapid utility vehicles.
The process includes the remotion of the combustion drivetrain and installing a conversion kit with a battery set in the cargo compartment, avoiding costs to adapt the vehicle’s structure.
Stellantis will start dynamic tests on public roads to collect data for evaluation and possible technical adjustments. The vehicles will be delivered to selected companies beginning in April.
“Stellantis is on the race to build a sustainable and profitable business promoting circular economy in the markets we operate”, asserted Breno Kamei, Stellantis’ Product Programs and Planning director for South America. He said the idea is to expand the service in the future to other segments and customer profiles.
The Brazilian conversion project has a similar in Europe. There, Stellantis united with the Qinomic technology company to allow gasoline or diesel vehicles to be used in low-emission zones (LEZ), where they are no longer allowed.
Depending on the success of the development, the conversion service should begin to be offered, initially in France and afterward in all Europe.
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