Stellantis, the multinational automotive manufacturer, is set to introduce hydrogen-powered versions of its largest RAM Trucks in the North American market, with production slated to take place in Mexico.
The company plans to significantly expand its hydrogen-powered vehicle lineup in the coming years, aiming to increase sales from 350 units of its HFCEV delivery vans sold last year to over 100,000 units annually by 2030. It anticipates that a majority of these sales will come from commercial customers, particularly in the United States, where RAM Trucks are popular.
“This year, we are starting production of larger vehicles in Poland,” said Jean-Michel Billig, head of Stellantis’ hydrogen program, in an interview with German-language magazine Welt. “And development in North America should follow quickly – especially with the large RAM 5500 in a fuel cell version.”
For those unfamiliar with RAM’s medium-duty commercial offerings, they are robust and heavy-duty compared to the more common RAM pickup trucks. The RAM 5500 series, for example, is designed to carry and tow significantly heavier loads, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 19,500 lbs compared to the base RAM 1500 pickup’s 6,010 lb GVWR and almost double the 10,000 lb rating of a Cummins-powered RAM 2500.
These trucks are essential for commercial and work purposes, where downtime is a critical concern. Despite the advancements in electric truck charging technology, hydrogen-powered vehicles are seen as a viable alternative due to their potential for quicker refueling compared to battery electric vehicles.
While the charging time for electric trucks continues to decrease with faster charging speeds and innovative charging technologies, the cost of hydrogen production remains high. However, Stellantis remains optimistic about the market potential for hydrogen technology, with Billig stating, “In the coming decade, we expect a significant market share for [hydrogen] technology. In commercial vehicles, it could be up to 40%.”
Production of the new hydrogen-powered RAM trucks is expected to take place at Stellantis’ Saltillo truck assembly plant in Mexico, which has been operational since 1995.
