Renault has announced a strategic partnership between Hyvia, its joint venture with Plug dedicated to hydrogen mobility, and Hype, a leading provider of hydrogen taxis. The collaboration is designed to accelerate the adoption of decarbonized hydrogen mobility solutions.
The partnership encompasses the entire ecosystem of hydrogen mobility, including the supply of decarbonized hydrogen, the establishment of H2 distribution stations, and the provision of hydrogen vehicles. One of the key initiatives involves Hyvia supplying Hype with decarbonized hydrogen produced using a 1 MW electrolyzer located in Flins, which will fuel Hype’s network in the Paris region.
To facilitate the distribution of hydrogen, two H2 stations will be installed by the end of 2024. Notably, one of these stations will be situated at the Renault dealership in Corbeil-Essonnes. This deployment underscores the commitment of both Renault and Hype to integrate hydrogen mobility solutions into existing automotive infrastructure.
Additionally, Hyvia will provide Hype with a Renault Master Van H2-TECH, with plans to deliver at least nine additional vehicles throughout 2024. This fleet expansion is pivotal for Hype as it aims to grow its hydrogen-powered taxi services, promoting cleaner urban transportation.
- HYVIA, a joint-venture between Renault Group and Plug dedicated to hydrogen mobility, and HYPE, an independent pure player in zero-emission mobility and a pioneer in hydrogen taxis, have announced a partnership to accelerate decarbonized hydrogen mobility, supported by:
- A shared vision: decarbonized hydrogen mobility is one of the solutions needed to make the necessary energy transition a success and meet the challenges of climate change and public health.
- A goal: to rapidly develop the relevant uses of decarbonized hydrogen mobility, while securing the volume increase that will enable lower costs.
- This partnership covers the entire ecosystem of H2 mobility: the supply of decarbonized hydrogen, H2 refueling stations and hydrogen vehicles, starting with:
- Supply of decarbonized hydrogen: HYVIA’s 1 MW electrolyzer based at its Flins plant will supply HYPE’s Paris region refueling station network with decarbonized hydrogen.
- Hydrogen refueling stations: trough its leasing offers, HYVIA will enable HYPE to deploy two H2 refueling stations by the end of 2024, including a HYWELL® station co-developed with Atawey and deployed with the support of the Maurin group, at RENAULT Corbeil-Essonnes dealership, contributing to the growth of the H2 refueling stations network in the Paris region. The first of these stations will go into service in the summer of 2024 at the HYPE site in Buc, developed in partnership with B.E. Green, the French specialist in zero-emission buses and coaches.
- Hydrogen vans: for its intensive operations, HYPE will use a new L2H2 architecture, high-capacity Renault Master H2-TECH van supplied by HYVIA. A minimum of 9 additional vehicles will be delivered during 2024 to HYVIA’s customers around HYPE stations. These H2 vans will be financed by HYVIA and will be part of the Last Mile program by HYPE, supported by the Ile-de-France Region, ADEME and the European Connecting Europe Facility, to benefit from subsidies for hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles.
- This partnership was made possible by the complementary nature of the solutions currently offered by the two partners:
- HYVIA, with its unique and comprehensive ecosystem and financing solution, which enables the deployment of decarbonized hydrogen mobility projects.
- HYPE, building on the strength of its integrated zero-emission platform – fleet and booking application dedicated to zero-emission taxis, green hydrogen distribution stations – and its Last Mile program by HYPE.
“Supply of decarbonized hydrogen, hydrogen stations and vans, financing solution: we are accelerating the deployment of hydrogen mobility thanks to this strategic partnership with HYPE, a major player in the H2 sector, zero-emission solutions and hydrogen taxis. Building on our complementarity and our pioneering commitments, together we are deploying hydrogen ecosystems enabling the decarbonization of intensive usages, for a necessary energy transition. »
Nicolas Champetier, CEO HYVIA
“We are very pleased with this partnership, which will enable us to continue to accelerate our deployment in the relevant uses of decarbonized hydrogen mobility. HYVIA, the result of an alliance between the world’s leading US pure player in low-carbon hydrogen, Plug, and the French carmaker Renault Group, a historic pioneer in 100% electric vehicles, symbolizes the right approach to responding effectively to the climate emergency. We see its electric vehicles, which combine the advantages of a reasonably sized rechargeable battery and a hydrogen system, as the most appropriate technological platform for a rational and pragmatic transition to zero-emission mobility. HYVIA has also innovated with its financing solution, which meets the needs of its customers and accelerates and secures the deployment of H2 ecosystems.”
Mathieu Gardies, Founder and Chief Executive Officer HYPE
About HYVIA
“HY” for hydrogen, “VIA” for road: HYVIA paves a new way forward for carbon-free mobility, with hydrogen mobility solutions. Created in June 2021, HYVIA is a joint venture equally owned by Renault Group, a dominant player in the automotive industry, and Plug, a world leader in turnkey hydrogen and fuel cell solutions. Based in France, for European markets, HYVIA offers a complete and unique ecosystem that includes light commercial vehicles with fuel cells, hydrogen refueling stations, supply of carbon-free hydrogen, services for financing and maintenance of fleets.
About HYPE
Launched in Paris in 2015 at COP 21 in response to the public health emergency of air and noise pollution in urban areas, Hype offers the only 100% zero-emission taxi booking application, at no extra cost compared with polluting taxis, and is developing the first zero-emission mobility platform, integrating production and distribution of green hydrogen. Hype, which has been operating the world’s largest fleet of hydrogen-powered taxis for 8 years, is organising the rapid transition to zero emission taxis and professional mobility uses. By capitalising on its experience and integrated model, which make it easier for as many drivers and customers as possible to use zero-emission mobility solutions in the short term, Hype, which is already present in Paris, Brussels and Le Mans, will roll out its platform in 13 other cities/regions in France and around the world by the end of 2026.
About Renault Group
Renault Group is at the forefront of a mobility that is reinventing itself. Strengthened by its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors, and its unique expertise in electrification, Renault Group comprises 4 complementary brands – Renault, Dacia, Alpine and Mobilize – offering sustainable and innovative mobility solutions to its customers. Established in more than 130 countries, the Group has sold more than 2,235 million vehicles in 2023. It employs nearly 106,000 people who embody its Purpose every day, so that mobility brings people closer.
Ready to pursue challenges both on the road and in competition, Renault Group is committed to an ambitious transformation that will generate value. This is centred on the development of new technologies and services, and a new range of even more competitive, balanced, and electrified vehicles. In line with environmental challenges, the Group’s ambition is to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040.
www.renaultgroup.com/en
About Plug
Plug is building the hydrogen economy as a global leader in turnkey hydrogen fuel cell solutions. Plug has deployed more than 69,000 fuel cell systems, designed and built over 250 fueling stations, and is a technology leader in electrolysis-based green hydrogen solutions. Present in Europe for more than 10 years, Plug has significant references in hydrogen mobility with the main European manufacturers, logistics customers and automobile manufacturers. Plug has installed several PEM technology electrolyzers in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Portugal. The company has deployed more fuel cell systems for electromobility than anyone else in the world.
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