Though it didn't ignore the pre-facelifted models, Stellantis only recently unveiled its updated light commercial vehicle (LCV) range in Europe. Beginning in 2024, the automotive group intends to provide diesel-powered midsize van owners with the option to convert their vehicles to fully electric power, thereby extending their useful life.
The vans in question are the Peugeot Expert, Citroen Jumpy, and Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro, though it's likely that the program will also include the identical Fiat Scudo and Toyota PoAce.
The EV conversion project aims to lower the cost of zero-emission vans for small business owners who are hesitant to invest in a completely new model, according to the head of Stellantis' vans business unit, who spoke with Autonews Europe.
Peugeot claims that the conversion will happen in Stellantis manufacturing facilities and cost less than €20,000 per van. Initially, the program will take advantage of government incentives and concentrate on France. As long as the owner keeps the electric van for more than a year or drives it for at least 6,000 km before selling their vehicle, these can cover up to 40% of the conversion cost, up to a maximum of €10,000.
The vans' cleaner, all-electric drivetrain will replace the 2.0-liter BlueHDi four-cylinder diesel engine. While acknowledging that the converted models' range will be less than the 224–350 km provided by the factory-spec electric vans, Peugeot stated that the converted examples will still have a respectable range. They have the option of 50 or 75 kWh battery packs, and they have a single electric motor that can produce 260 Nm of torque and 134 horsepower, though it's unclear if those will also be utilized for the conversion.
Along with Poenix, a French company, Renault has also announced a similar program to convert the diesel-powered Master to electric power. Large vans manufactured more than five years ago are the program's main focus, and the conversion is done at Renault's "Refactory" facilities in Flins, France.
By 2030, Stellantis and Renault expect to generate €2 and €1 billion in revenue annually from EV conversion, refurbishment, recycling, and "second-life" battery activities, respectively.