Stellantis will reportedly pause output at four French plants in October due to a long-range EV battery shortage and slower demand for some models.

A Stellantis representative told Bloomberg the Sochaux plant, which builds the Peugeot 3008 SUV, will shut from 23 to 30 October and Rennes, which makes the Citroën C5 Aircross, from 22 to 30 October.

Mulhouse will shut for the last two weeks of October owing to slower-than-anticipated demand for models such as the Peugeot 308, while Poissy, near Paris, will close from 19 to 23 October.

Stellantis said the shortage particularly affects the C5 Aircross, whose long-range version is being introduced in several markets.

“In this context, we are temporarily adjusting our production schedule to remain aligned with market demand and to avoid building up stocks of vehicles that do not match customer needs. This is a temporary measure”, the representative added.

Bloomberg’s report said the shortage highlights the need for carmakers to adjust production amid a jump in EV demand driven by the US-Israeli war on Iran, which disrupted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and lifted average petrol and diesel prices to record highs in countries such as France.

Stellantis has long faced a shortage of long-range batteries from Automotive Cells (ACC), a joint venture also backed by Mercedes-Benz Group and TotalEnergies.

Declining to comment on the halts, an ACC representative told Bloomberg the company is ramping up production and is “honouring the commitments made to our client Stellantis, with module delivery levels that meet their requirements”.

Just Auto has contacted Stellantis for comment.

In May, Stellantis unveiled plans to build EVs under China's Dongfeng luxury brand Voyah at Rennes, as part of a broader European joint venture between the two carmakers.

Earlier this month, Stellantis acquired CK Birla Group's remaining stake in their Indian joint venture, giving it full ownership of manufacturing operations at Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu.