Citroen has delivered the first of its ë-Jumpy hydrogen-powered vans to French energy utility company Suez Group.
The van, which packs a 248-mile range and a refuel time of just three minutes, is set to begin full-scale testing at Suez Group’s facility in Carcassonne around 80 miles west of Montpellier.
“The fuel cell hydrogen solution is now becoming a reality with this first ë-Jumpy Hydrogen coming off the assembly line. Complementing our electric portfolio, it will give customers a greater driving range (especially on faster roads) and optimise vehicles’ usage time thanks to its ultra-fast refuelling. All this, while retaining the capabilities and practicality of the vehicle to remain relevant on the LCV market,” says Laurence Hansen, Citroen’s Product and Strategy Director.
“Citroën is proud to be able to combine all the qualities that have made its thermal vehicles so successful, while adding the peace-of-mind of more environmentally-responsible, future-focused driving. With the current plans to develop hydrogen, this is a major new solution complementing the widest range of electric utility vehicles on the market,” he continues.
Citroen says that its hydrogen vans are not a replacement or direct alternative for its battery-electric vehicles. Instead, the ë-Jumpy is aimed at customers that need more than 186 miles of range from their vehicles or for those that need fast refuelling in order to maximise usage time across city centres and faster roads and motorways.
“We have chosen a mid-power architecture for our hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, combining the best of electric with a 10.5kWh lithium-ion battery, a 45kW fuel cell and 4.4kg of useful hydrogen storage to offer a total driving range of more than 248 miles (400km) on the WLTP cycle,” says Christian Maugy a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Specialist.
“The traction battery particularly provides ready power when starting and accelerating, as well as allowing good energy recovery. The fuel cell meanwhile, gives the vehicle an impressive driving range. The sizing used and the resulting integration have enabled us to propose an uncompromising range of light commercial vehicles, since we notably preserve one of the main features, which is loading volume.”
The ë-Jumpy is able to travel 217 miles on its hydrogen supply, while a 10.5 kWh battery back-up will let drivers cover a final 31 miles, should they need to.
“The environment and innovation are central to the SUEZ Group, which works on a daily basis to preserve the essential elements of our environment. The Group is exploring and developing new solutions across all of its activities in order to shape a sustainable future and achieve its objective of reducing its CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030. The adoption by SUEZ of electric and hydrogen vehicles marks another important step towards making its vehicle fleet carbon-free. Ë-Jumpy Hydrogen therefore makes it possible to maintain the same payload as the Diesel version, while optimising journeys by providing sufficient driving range, thereby avoiding having to return to base every day,” says Yves Colladant, SUEZ Group’s Category Manager for its light vehicles.
