- Michelin subsidiary Symbio is boosting hydrogen mobility
Symbio, a joint venture between Michelin and Faurecia, is working on two development projects: one with bus maker Safra, the other with Stellantis. A sign that hydrogen technology is expanding in support of zero-emission mobility.
Michelin is determined to become a world leader in hydrogen fuel cell systems through Symbio, its joint venture with Faurecia.
This is the ambition of the Michelin Group, which has been developing R&D expertise in this field for 15 years. An ambition, grounded in the belief that hydrogen technology can simultaneously address three major challenges: improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and develop renewable energy
HYDROGEN BUSES AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES BY THE END OF THE YEAR
Symbio and Safra, already partners to design the first French hydrogen buses, recently signed a new contract to develop 1,500 hydrogen fuel cell buses. These vehicles will be equipped with Symbio’s special “plug and play” solution made of a 45-kW fuel cell combined with a compressor and power converter. Symbio is also partnering with Stellantis, which announced the sale of its first fuel cell-powered commercial vehicles. Symbio’s system will offer these vehicles a 400-km range and refueling in just minutes.
“These new projects demonstrate our ability to adapt our standard hydrogen systems (StackPack®) to the specific needs of our clients. By 2030, we plan to produce 200,000 per year for the entire automotive industry,” says Philippe Rosier, CEO of Symbio. Symbio has launched the construction of the largest hydrogen fuel cell plant in Saint-Fons, France. It will be inaugurated in 2023.
MISSION H24: AN INCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGY LAB TO DEVELOP HYDROGEN MOBILITY
These latest partnerships follow another advance in hydrogen mobility: in June 2020, Michelin and Symbio joined forces with Mission H24 (the 24 Hours of Le Mans) to introduce fuel cell technology to endurance racing. Michelin and Symbio now have access to a real-life laboratory for developing sustainable, hydrogen-based solutions. The hydrogen-fueled car in question is also an excellent means of promoting fuel cell technology, which is still under the radar–for now!
Source: Michelin
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