Citroën delivers its first ë-Jumpy Hydrogen to the SUEZ Group

• The development of fuel cell technology is now taking on another dimension at CITROËN as the first #ejumpyhydrogen comes off the assembly line. 

• With a range of over 400km* and a tank charging time of just three minutes, the battery and fuel cell technology will meet the needs of customers embarking on long journeys or long rounds, as well as customers whose activity requires rapid charging in order to maximize the use of their vehicle. 

• This first #ejumpyhydrogen is on its way to a priviledge customer, the SUEZ Group, which is preparing to carry out full-scale testing of the model at its Carcassonne site, a pilot site where Suez is investing in #green hydrogen production – set to become a key issue over the coming years. 

• CITROËN is thereby expanding its array of electrified utility solutions in order to adapt to the abundance of professional uses and offer the most comprehensive range on the market, from My Ami Cargo to ë-Jumper. 

• CITROËN and the SUEZ Group, our long-standing commercial partner, are therefore pursuing their commitment to common values: innovation in support of their customers and the desire to build an environmentally-responsible world based on a major focus – rethinking fleet management by switching to clean mobility.

*Pending WLTP homologation 

“The fuel cell hydrogen solution is now becoming a reality with this first #ejumpyhydrogen coming off the assembly line. Complementing our electric portfolio, it will give customers a greater driving range 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. 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. We are pleased to offer SUEZ – a privileged partner strongly committed to reducing our environmental footprint – this first vehicle for full-scale testing under real conditions.”

Laurence Hansen – CITROËN Product and Strategy Manager 

THE HYDROGEN OFFER: A CONCRETE REALITY

Announced at the start of the year, the arrival of fuel cell technology is now a reality with production of the first CITROËN #ejumpyhydrogen. 

This first hydrogen vehicle is on its way to a privileged customer, the SUEZ Group. A new milestone has therefore been reached in the Brand’s electrification strategy to respond to the challenges of tomorrow. 

CITROËN is one of the first manufacturers to industrialise a new energy solution for the future, supplementing traditional electricity, which is currently the subject of massive investment programmes in France and Germany and no doubt soon in other countries too. CITROËN is thereby remaining faithful to 100 years of innovation and expertise in commercial vehicles, to offer bespoke solutions for every professional, now and in the future. 

A COMPLEMENTARY SOLUTION, ADAPTED TO SPECIFIC USES

The choice of hydrogen technology is fully in line with CITROËN’s electrification strategy and this desire to offer a variety of technical responses depending on usage. Ë-Jumpy Hydrogen completes the range of light commercial vehicles, the largest on the market, from My Ami Cargo to ë-Jumper, via ë-Berlingo and ë-Jumpy. Electrification that is based on an axiom dear to CITROËN: never compromise on capacities or practicality – characteristics which make each of our vans benchmarks in their segment. 

The hydrogen solution is aimed at those who need a range of more than 300km for long journeys or long rounds, who require a vehicle that charges quickly in order to maximize usage time, who need access to restricted city centres but who also have a usage profile more suited to faster roads and motorways, where there is easy access to hydrogen stations. With this hydrogen range, professionals can reduce their fleet's carbon footprint and make their activities more sustainable. 

There is a wide range of target customers, all sharing two points in common: a commitment to the energy transition and the need to access city centres. They may be courier operators, either for “last mile” deliveries in city centres or for transport over longer distances, as well as local authorities, operators, manufacturers, etc. 

AN EFFICIENT ARCHITECTURE TO MEET EXPECTATIONS 

“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 400km on the WLTP cycle. The 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 vehicles, since we notably preserve one of the main features, which is loading volume (identical to that of its electric and diesel equivalents).”

Christian Maugy, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Specialist 

EXTENDED DRIVING RANGE

Ë-Jumpy Hydrogen has two complementary propulsion systems: a battery to store energy and supply electricity and a fuel cell, which converts hydrogen and oxygen in the air into electricity, water and heat. As long as it is supplied with hydrogen, this power generator works continuously. The electric motor, mainly powered by the 45kW hydrogen fuel cell, is therefore able to offer an extended driving range of nearly 350km. The 10.5kWh lithium-ion battery acts as a back-up, able to cover 50km on the WLTP cycle. It also provides additional power to the engine, which is necessary to give dynamic vehicle performance, especially when accelerating. It also enables energy recovery during deceleration and braking. The combination of these two components ensures a driving range of over 400km. 

RAPID CHARGING

Charging #ejumpyhydrogen is 20 times faster than charging an electric vehicle (based on charging at a 100kW public charging station). Barely three minutes are therefore enough to fill up the three hydrogen tanks, which have a useful storage capacity of up to 4.4kg, saving time and increasing productivity for all companies that are unable to leave their vehicles immobilised during charging, and giving them a longer usage time. 

UNCHANGED CAPACITIES AND PRACTICALITY

Like its electric vans – ë-Berlingo Van, ë-Jumpy and ë-Jumper – CITROËN has ensured that the loading volume of #ejumpyhydrogen is not affected by integration of the battery and hydrogen tanks, so that customers can benefit from the added value of this new technology without negatively impacting the vehicle’s useful capacities – professionals’ main requirement in this segment. To preserve the primary function of our #ejumpyhydrogen utility vehicle, involving the frequent transportation of bulky and heavy objects, the battery has been installed under the seats and the three hydrogen tanks under the floor. The useful volumes of the two models are therefore unchanged compared with 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, as for the petrol/diesel versions. 

CITROËN #ejumpyhydrogen, assembled in France at the SevelNord plant, is converted at the STELLANTIS Group’s hydrogen fuel cell centre of expertise in Russelsheim, Germany.  

SUEZ, OUR PRIVILEGED PARTNER TO #test THE FIRST CITROËN Ë-JUMPY HYDROGEN 

“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.”

Yves Colladant, Group Category Manager - Light Vehicles 

The SUEZ Group wants to make low-carbon mobility a key component of its carbon strategy, which aims to reduce the Group’s CO₂ emissions by 45% by 2030. By developing solutions for recovering energy from water and waste, the Group is able to optimise its customers’ energy consumption, promote the use of high-potential renewable energies and consolidate SUEZ’s expertise in hydrogen production as a key player in the sector. With more than 200 electric vehicles, SUEZ wants to step up the replacement of its fleet with vehicles that have low greenhouse gas emissions, to ensure greener mobility for light and utility vehicles and tipper trucks. 

The first #ejumpyhydrogen will be delivered shortly for testing under actual conditions for a fortnight. It will provide a practical solution to the needs of the Group’s business lines at the Carcassonne branch, by responding to the numerous daily uses of operational supervisors who need to visit various sites. The site is overseeing the project as part of an agreement between Carcassonne Agglo and SUEZ (1), in order to support the local authority with its energy transition ambitions, particularly through the commissioning of a local #green hydrogen production station for SUEZ agents’ electric vehicles. This station is capable of supplying a total of four vehicles with 2kg of hydrogen per day. 

This #test will also be an opportunity for CITROËN to validate the development of this technology under actual usage conditions. The collaboration to #test this very first vehicle was a natural decision in light of the relationship of trust forged between CITROËN and the SUEZ Group over the past few years. A commercial partnership but also a coming together based on shared values, in order to innovate and shape a more sustainable environment. The two companies recently met up for the launch of My Ami Cargo, an innovative micro-mobility solution for professionals, at the waste-water treatment and recovery plant in Saint-Cyr l’Ecole, in the Greater Paris region. Ten are in the process of joining the SUEZ fleet for journeys between worksites and to take meter readings. My Ami Cargo and #ejumpyhydrogen should join the SUEZ fleet soon.

(1) Carcassonne Agglo (11) has entrusted SUEZ with the management of water and sewerage contracts for 90,000 inhabitants out of the 115,000 within its scope. These two 10-year contracts began on 1 January 2018.