The first Citroën ë-Jumpy Hydrogen van has rolled off the assembly line and is being delivered to long-term fleet client Suez Group for testing.

The first ë-Jumpy Hydrogen is on its way to fleet client Suez Group, which will carry out full-scale testing at its Carcassonne facility in France

Announced at the start of the year and previewed in the summer, the hydrogen version of the ë-Jumpy – which is known as the ë-Dispatch in the UK – arrives at the same time as the Vivaro-e hydrogen van from Stellantis Group siblings Vauxhall/Opel.

As with the Vivaro-e hydrogen, the ë-Jumpy version is based on the electric Peugeot e-Expert/Citroën ë-Dispatch/Vauxhall Vivaro-e but fitted with fuel cell technology to bring extended range. This enables it to meet the needs of operators embarking on longer journeys, as well as users requiring rapid refuelling in order to maximise the use of their vehicles.

The technology teams up a 10.5kWh lithium-ion battery, a 45kW fuel cell and three hydrogen tanks with 4.4kg of hydrogen storage, offering a total driving range of more than 248 miles (400km) on the WLTP cycle. The electric motor is mainly powered by the 45kW hydrogen fuel cell, which has a driving range of nearly 217 miles (350km). The lithium-ion battery acts as a back-up, able to cover 31 miles (50km) on the WLTP cycle. It also provides additional power necessary for more dynamic vehicle performance and enables energy recovery during deceleration and braking.

Refuelling takes just three minutes, reducing downtime for fleets and enabling them to maximise vehicle usage.

Importantly, it retains the same practical capabilities as its electric and diesel equivalents as the battery has been installed under the seats in the cab area and the three hydrogen tanks are under the floor. This means load volume remains is identical to the electric versions: 5.3m3 for the Medium size and 6.1m3 for the XL. Similarly, the payload and towing capacity can reach up to 1000kg, in line with diesel versions.

Laurence Hansen, Citroën product and strategy director, said: “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.”

According to the brand, it’s aimed at customers that need a range of more than 186 miles (300km), for longer delivery rounds, or for customers who require a vehicle that can be re-fuelled quickly or that’s suitable for mixed usage. Examples include courier operators, covering both last-mile deliveries and transportation over longer distances, as well as local authorities or manufacturing businesses.

It will be tested by Citroën’s long-term commercial partner Suez Group, which already has more than 200 electric vehicles and is looking to accelerate the replacement of its fleet, to ensure greener mobility for light and utility vehicles and tipper trucks.

Yves Colladant, group category manager – light vehicles at Suez Group, said: “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.”

The test will also be an opportunity for Citroën to validate the development of this technology under actual usage conditions.

The Citroën ë-Jumpy Hydrogen is assembled at the Sevel Nord plant in France and converted at the Stellantis Group’s hydrogen fuel cell centre of expertise in Russelsheim, Germany.