In a major setback for the hydrogen sector and a new example of Stellantis' harsh methods, the automaker announced on Wednesday, July 16, its decision to "discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development program." Furthermore, it will not launch mass production of the Pro One hydrogen utility vehicles, which were previously scheduled to begin this summer at its factories in Hordain, France and in Gliwice, Poland. The main casualty of this decision is the start-up Symbio, in which Stellantis holds a 33% stake alongside Michelin and the auto parts supplier Forvia, which also manufactures hydrogen tanks.

According to our information, Stellantis informed Symbio of this strategic reversal as early as May. Losing its main customer – the one for whom it had sized its hydrogen fuel cell "gigafactory" in Saint-Fons within the greater Lyon area, and one of its key stakeholders – the company had no choice but to initiate a conciliation procedure under the supervision of the commercial court to find a way out. Inaugurated in December 2023, the gigafactory produces hydrogen fuel cells for vans and hopes to supply those for heavy-duty trucks starting in 2027.

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