The great last decision of Stellantis in the matter of electrics has had the great first consequence that was expected. It is not for less, because the vans intended for the transport of passengers, considered as successors of the minivans, can only be purchased as electric.
Stellantis started 2022 with an unprecedented decision among manufacturers but one that has a very clear and obvious justification. While the two car giants remained apart, those of PSA had the so-called average CO2 emissions of the entire fleet controlled. That is to say, of all the ranges of all the brands, very below the maximum limit of 95 g/km that marked the European Union, quite the opposite of the Italian-American group.
By merging, they have been forced to increase the share of electricity to lower the figures and not incur a penalty that could be monstrous, leaving aside the issue of microchips that is not the real cause but influences. A decision that has affected commercial vehicles intended for passenger transport, considered more versatile and natural substitutes for minivans. The berlingo, SpaceTourer, rifter, Traveler Y combo combustion have given way to electric variants of each of them, also including the Toyota ProAce Electric in this story. A decision you’re already having a great consequence, more than expected included by Stellantis.
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Because, of all the models mentioned that have become electric, there is one that stands out especially in the sales lists throughout Europe. The citroen berlingo. You may think that they are all the same, technically and mechanically, but the aesthetics of the two-chevron model captivates customers and the one that stands out by far, Even in Germany, where Citroën dealers have already gone on a war footing.
Do not be surprised that they have only been those of this French brand, they are because they are the ones that sell the most units of the commercials of the three Stellantis brands, and also compared to the Toyota model, who already fear a real meltdown in terms of sales and profits if they can’t offer anything other than the ë-Berlingo Y ë-SpaceTourer to their customers, greatly restricting the range. Among the measures, they have asked to leave the most demanded by customers and the electric variant, a request that awaits a response, at the same time that they do not believe in the effectiveness of this being a correct strategy to lead the commercial market.
Is complicated for Stellantis to rectify this decision, despite the fact that it is willing to be reasonable in the prices of the models. But even so, with the provision to democratize these models -available in two lengths- with the zero emissions label, it seems like a serious problem: customers are not looking for a model with a maximum power of 136 hp, a maximum range on a single charge of 275 kilometers and a charge in less than 30 minutes at points of 100 kW of power, because there are no such facilities in all European cities, no matter how hard the giant insists that maintenance costs are reduced below 50% after four years, and the tax advantages from which they can benefit. A complicated situation that can upset the strategy and benefit the two immediate rivals, Ford and Volkswagen.