Qinomic, a French company specializing in innovative solutions for sustainable mobility, and Groupe Gruau, the European leader in Utility Vehicle conversion, formalize their partnership and officially announce the industrial launch of their electric retrofit solution.
4
million Utility Vehicles eligible for retrofit in France
70%
of the medium van segment covered by Qinomic's QI-TECH offer
56%
reduction in CO2 emissions compared to purchasing a new electric vehicle
+80%
of the components used for the retrofit are supplied by Stellantis as part of the partnership initiated in 2022, with the medium LCV segment as the first step.
Qinomic and Groupe Gruau: A Partnership for the Industrialization of a Utility Vehicle Retrofit Solution
This collaboration strengthens Qinomic’s ability to industrialize its technology, while ensuring compliance with quality requirements and manufacturer specifications, particularly in terms of safety, durability, and homologation. Historically established in Mayenne, Gruau provides its unique industrial capacity and its proven expertise, developed over 135 years, in the conversion of vehicles in small and medium series. The GEO operational excellence approach, deployed within the Laval-based group for over 30 years, perfectly meets the Quality requirements of Qinomic’s specifications.
A Major Challenge for Climate and Public Health
The current pace of decarbonization in the transport sector remains insufficient given climate imperatives and public health challenges. With the QI-TECH retrofit offer, Qinomic has set itself the mission of accelerating this transformation by proposing a sustainable and economically viable alternative to companies and communities wishing to electrify their fleets, while extending the lifespan of their vehicles.
QI-TECH, an innovative offer: an unprecedented combination of market-leading services and automotive industry quality standards
● Range of 4 vehicles: Citroën Jumpy, Fiat Scudo, Opel Vivaro, Peugeot Expert, from 2016, sizes M and XL
● Engine: 100 kW
● Battery: 75 kWh original manufacturer, 8-year/160,000 km warranty
● 330 km range according to the WLTP combined cycle (465 km in urban cycle)
● Maximum speed: 130 km/h
● Fast charging from 20 to 80%: 36 min
QI-TECH, a unique, turnkey industrial offer, a real asset for professionals
The QI-TECH offer, marketed by Qinomic Mobilities, a subsidiary of Qinomic, includes a turnkey solution to facilitate the transition of utility vehicle fleets to electric. Designed to meet the specific needs of fleet managers, this offer includes:
● The 2-year retrofit conversion warranty
● The 75 kWh battery warranty of 8 years or 160,000 km
● Renovation packs, equipment, and specifications adapted to the company’s needs
● Vehicle maintenance within the Feu Vert network or the Stellantis network
● A financing offer (Long-Term Rental)
The partnership between QINOMIC and GRUAU makes it possible to offer the first industrial retrofit solution guaranteeing high-level services
Beyond the relationship of trust and the complementary expertise between Qinomic and Gruau, an industrial solution for converting thermal vehicles into upgraded, turnkey electric vehicles is emerging, offering VU professionals more comfort and additional options compared to the initial vehicle: thanks to vehicle electrification, inherent adaptations carried out by Gruau (transformation of the structure after stripping it down, adaptation of the cabin, integration of new electrical components, association with sensors, etc.), the integration of load space arrangement solutions dedicated to professionals, up to the installation of signage elements on the exterior.
Aimed at implementing the industrial process of the retrofit solution, Gruau’s added value thus extends beyond the industrialization of the solution.
A pioneer in electric vehicles since 1996, through the creation of the Montmartrobus with Ponticelli, the electric Microbus with the Bolloré group, the 100% electric Bluebus, and also the Electron I with Microvett and the Electron II with its own electric drivetrain, Gruau brings its proven industrial expertise in the field of electric vehicles.
The long-standing partnerships between the Mayenne-based group and car manufacturers such as Toyota, Renault, and Stellantis also highlight the high level of Quality requirements proven over the years within Gruau’s factories.
At the same time, the Gruau group confirms its RSS2E commitments (Social, Societal, Economic, and Environmental Responsibility) in terms of environmental protection and circular economy, deployed in the implementation of its 2030 Project, and once again proves, thanks to this partnership with Qinomic, its desire to be a group resolutely UTILYTERRE PAR NATURE
A High-Performance and Responsible Alternative
QI-TECH, a retrofit solution developed by Qinomic, offers several key advantages:
● Acceleration of the decarbonization of light commercial vehicle fleets and response to decarbonization objectives set within the framework of the LOM law (Mobility Orientation Law)
● 50% savings compared to purchasing a new electric vehicle and reduced TCO*
● Reduction of CO₂ emissions by at least 56% over the entire vehicle lifecycle (source: ADEME 2021)
● Contribution to the circular economy through the recycling of internal combustion engines, in partnership with Stellantis Sustainera
● Concrete response to the CSR obligations of companies and communities
*Carbone4 2024 Study
2025: Financial Conditions Reinforcing Retrofit Attractiveness
The decree of November 29, 2024, published in the Official Journal, confirms the maintenance of the retrofit premium in 2025. Each conversion will thus be able to benefit from aid ranging from €6,000 to €8,000, depending on the vehicle’s weight. Retrofit is also eligible for Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) up to €850 per vehicle. This favorable regulatory context should accelerate the massive adoption of this technology. Numerous regional aids also exist, such as Île-de-France, which offers €6,000 per vehicle, or ADEME’s €10,000 springboard aid *
A Strong Ambition: Becoming the Leader in Retrofit in France and Europe
The launch of this solution marks a first step in Qinomic’s development strategy, which plans a major product offensive, with no less than nine models between 2025 and 2026, followed by at least one launch per year. This roadmap will provide a tailored response to each customer’s use case and budget.
Frédéric Strady, Directeur Général de Qinomic
“Our ambition is clear: to structure and industrialize utility vehicle retrofit to make it accessible on a large scale, both for first-time buyers and large fleets. With Groupe Gruau, we are positioning ourselves among the pioneers of a promising market revealing its potential, serving more sustainable and economically viable mobility.”
shares Frédéric Strady, CEO of Qinomic.
Patrick Gruau
For Patrick Gruau, President of the eponymous group
“The Qinomic solution is innovative and perfectly suited to our field of activity. Moreover, we share the same market vision, and our teams quickly connected due to our common human values: this is an essential asset for the success of our partnership. For Gruau, this retrofit solution comes at the right time to reinforce our commitments in the field of RSS2E. Being UTILY-TERRE PAR NATURE© is our entire DNA, combining our passion for Utility Mobility and our responsible commitment, shared with our employees, to be useful to the Earth. We work on this every day, and this partnership is another step in this direction, which must now become a true source of performance at all levels—social, societal, economic, and environmental—for the group, for its customers and partners, for the good of our planet.”
