Alfa Romeo looks set to postpone the launch of its proposed new battery-electric Stelvio fullsize SUV and may convert the model to a hybrid powertrain as Fiat has with the 500e.
Sources within the brand’s owner Stellantis tell Reuters that the move directly reflects the slowdown in BEV demand in Europe and the rising registrations of hybrid new vehicles.
The new Stelvio, which is due to be produced in Cassino, central Italy, was originally expected to begin deliveries in the first quarter of 2026 but now will not go on sale before the following autumn, sources say.
They add that Alfa Romeo is developing a hybrid version of the model in a move that echoes Fiat’s retrofitting a hybrid powertrain to models of the all-electric 500e that suffered poor sales globally.
Although the new Stelvio is based on Stellantis' multi-powertrain STLA large platform, it will take some time for the group to also develop its hybrid version, sources say.
Demand for BEVs is struggling to meet current European Union mandated sales percentages, forcing the economic bloc to give automakers a stay of punitive fines of three years.
However, with Europe’s automakers facing the major challenges of U.S. import tariffs plus the invasion of cheaper Chinese vehicles into their domestic markets, many industry observers believe it remains unlikely that consumer interest in switching to BEVs will drastically improve within the three-year timeframe.
A severe lack of affordable models, a poor public charging infrastructure and a lack of government incentives to buy BEVs are the chief hurdles currently facing consumers.
