Video: FCA outlines electrification plans

Future growth focussing on e-mobility is set out by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).

Its newly released 2019 Sustainability Report provides details on the company’s most relevant social, economic and environmental achievements and long-term targets.

Last year, FCA took decisive steps to lay the groundwork for its future growth, to take a leading role in shaping the future of global mobility and reducing its environmental footprint on a per-vehicle-produced basis at its global plants.

It achieved a nearly 40% reduction in water use, a 27% reduction in its carbon footprint and a 64% reduction in waste generated.

Chairman John Elkann and chief executive Mike Manley says FCA’s partnerships network has been strengthened to develop e-mobility solutions for EVs by executing agreements with Enel X and ENGIE in Europe, for both home charging stations and public charging networks.

FCA streamlined its Global Product Development team by bringing together vehicle and powertrain engineering under a single, global organisation.

In its report, the FCA says its business plan anticipates it will offer electrified propulsion systems (battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, full hybrid and mild hybrid) in global architectures spanning the full range of vehicle segments.

“We have confirmed plans to make significant investments in vehicle electrification development, and manufacturing facilities in North America and Italy, to support the growing demand for electrified vehicles.

“By 2022, we expect to offer more than 30 nameplates with electrified powertrains.”

FCA has developed a suite of electrification technologies, including 12-volt engine stop/start, 48-volt mild hybrid, high voltage plug-in hybrid, and full battery electric vehicles – offering fuel economy improvements and a reduction in CO2 emissions.

It has committed nine billion euros to a five-year electrification programme.

In Brazil, FCA started a significant new investment cycle of R$16 billion which will see a renewed product line-up for the Fiat and Jeep brands and add a new flex-fuel engine plant, which will become the largest powertrain hub in Latin America.

In China, FCA launched the Jeep Commander PHEV, which also represents the brand’s entry into China’s rapidly growing New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market.

In Italy, FCA is executing an ambitious five-billion euro plan, centred around electrification, with key new products and a new Battery Hub inside the Mirafiori complex in Turin that will assemble batteries for a growing line-up of electric models

For Maserati, FCA is doing a major product-led transformation plan, including several full battery electric and hybridised models.

In the US, FCA invested US$4.5 billion to expand the capacity of facilities in Michigan and to build a new plant in Detroit that will open later this year producing electrified Jeep models.

FCA provided about 28 million euros through charitable initiatives in communities where its employees live and work.

It also supports a wide range of COVID-19 community initiatives across the globe, including helping to install field hospitals, providing food services to school-age children, and supporting the technical, logistical and manufacturing activities for the development of healthcare products such as ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE).

FCA includes Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Ram and Maserati brands and employs nearly 200,000 people globally.