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Peugeot, Citroën and Opel are stopping the marketing of their recreational vehicles and thermal vans. These vehicles will now be offered electric. This brutal decision is to the credit of the European CAFE standard limiting CO2 emissions.
Peugeot, Citroën and Opel are stopping the marketing of recreational vehicles and thermal vans in favor of exclusively electric versions.
It’s the hangover at Stellantis (ex-PSA-Fiat Chrysler) at the start of the year. Indeed, we learn that Peugeot, Citroën and Opel have stopped the marketing of their MPVs and thermal vans. Exit the PureTech 1.2 and BlueHDI 1.5 petrol engines. Remember that the purge had already started by stopping the PureTech 1.6 petrol engines of 180 and 225 hp, as well as BlueHDI 2.0 of 150, 160 and 180 hp.
If the Peugeot Rifter, Citroën Berlingo and Opel Combo Life MPVs continue to exist, just like the Opel Zafira Life, Spacetourer and Peugeot Traveler vans, these models will only be available with electric drive.
Opel Combo-e Life, Van of The Year 2019. @Opel
The result is a single 100 kW (136 hp) engine block. As for autonomy, it will depend on the choice of battery, with a capacity of 50 or 75 kWh. Enough to travel between 230 and 300 km. On the other hand, the utility versions of these recreational vehicles and vans are not (yet) affected by the electrical reorientation.
CAFE or the European standard for reductions in CO emissions2
The cause of this sudden stop at Stellantis is called CAFE, for Corporate Average Fuel Economy. This is a European standard forcing car manufacturers to reduce their CO emissions each year.2 under penalty of fines. In addition, there is an increased 2022 ecological penalty and the introduction of a penalty taking into account the weight of the vehicle (from 1,800 kg). The semiconductor crisis has not helped. Worse, it shut down certain production lines and slowed down vehicle deliveries.
History to stay in the nails, some less fortunate builders have chosen to create common pots supplied by CO credits2 or buy them from surplus builders. Thus, Tesla is one of the largest providers of CO credits2.
Regarding virtuous manufacturers, note that Toyota will continue to offer its ProAce City Verso (cousin of the Peugeot Rifter, Citroën Berlingo and Opel Combo) and ProAce Verso in petrol and diesel versions. The reason ? A wide range of hybrids which allowed it to garner credits, unlike PSA without hybrid vehicles, or even micro-hybrids or light hybrids.
This forced electrification has not finished creating collateral damage …