Stellantis bets hard on Brazil for the goal of zero emissions of its vehicles by 2038. The group to which Fiat belongs has in fact announced that starting from 2024 it will launch the Bio-Hybrid project, ie three production platforms for ethanol flex-fuel hybrid vehicles and one for a 100% electric car. Bio-Hybrid models will become the core business of the Stellantis automotive hub plants in Betim, in the state of Minas Gerais: in fact, they will represent 60% of the Italian-French group's Brazilian production by 2030.
The objectives of the Stellantis Bio-Hybrid project in Brazil
Antonio Filosa, president of Stellantis South America, confirmed that the first flex-fuel hybrid cars will arrive on the market as early as next year and that the new 100% electric model will subsequently be launched, with the ambitious goal of having 60% of sales between now and 2030 concentrated on hybrid cars and 20% on fully electric cars: “We are the company that nationalizes components most in Brazil, encouraging propulsion solutions that combine ethanol and electrification and that contribute to decarbonization in the well-to-wheel cycle ”, said the Italian manager.
The technological innovations of the project: three platforms
The project is also significant from a technological point of view: the Bio-Hybrid platform in fact features a new multifunctional electrical device that replaces the alternator and the starter motor. The equipment is capable of supplying mechanical and electrical energy, which generate both additional torque for the internal combustion engine and electrical energy to charge the additional 12-volt lithium-ion battery. "The system generates power up to 3 kW, ensuring better vehicle performance and lower fuel consumption," explained Marcio Tonani, senior vice president of technical engineering centers for South America.
La Bio-Hybrid e-DCT platform, in turn, is at the service of two electric motors, with a 48 Volt lithium-ion battery that supports the system and also powers the devices. The platform Bio-Hybrid Plug-ins by Stellantis is instead equipped with a 380 Volt Lithium-Ion battery, recharged via a regeneration system during deceleration, powered by the vehicle's internal combustion engine or via an external power supply (plug-in). Finally, the BEV (100% Electric) architecture is fully driven by a high-voltage electric motor powered by a 400-volt rechargeable battery, which ensures quick and responsive acceleration.
“These are – added Tonani – platforms based on different technologies, which present different degrees of thermal and electrical combination in the propulsion of the vehicle. Each of these technologies has its application and, together, they serve all consumer groups, making hybrid systems based on the combination of flexible thermal propulsion with electricity accessible”. As for costs, the same manager specified that the most accessible vehicles will be those of the Bio-Hybrid line, while the most expensive will be those of the 100% electric car.
Stellantis in Brazil, a central country for Fiat
Brazil therefore confirms itself as a central country for Fiat, which is still the leading brand in terms of sales today largest market in South America, where it has a share of around 22% (32,3% that of Stellantis). And above all, it is thanks to Brazil that in 2022 the Lingotto contributed most to the overall sales of the Stellantis group: 1,2 million units, out of a total of 5,8 million, of which 430 units sold in Brazil. Sales in the Portuguese-speaking country were higher than those of the entire European market and more than double that of the Italian one, where Fiat placed less than 200 units in the last calendar year.
Excellent results that continue also in the first half of 2023 and in all of South America, where in the first six months of this year Stellantis achieved a record market share of 23,7%: in addition to Brazil, Argentina (31,2%) is flying , Chile (12,1%) and Uruguay (24,6%). On the whole continent, and not just in Brazil, the best-selling car is still Fiat.
