As the United States strives to achieve a carbon-free energy economy by 2050, hydrogen fuel cell technology will be crucial in supplementing renewable electricity sources in order to achieve this objective.
Faurecia joins forces with scientists and engineers around the country to commemorate Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, which is observed on October 8 in recognition of hydrogen’s atomic weight of 8. (1.008). The company, which has set a goal of being CO2 neutral by 2030, possesses the knowledge and technology to help the country achieve its zero-emission target while also providing clients with comprehensive hydrogen fuel system solutions.
“Our product portfolio and hydrogen storage solutions, which are enriched by Symbio’s stack systems technologies, provide a complete range of hydrogen fuel cell solutions to meet all power and durability requirements from light-duty to commercial and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as design expertise that enables us to support customer vehicle integration requirements,” said Jose-Vicente March, Vice President Zero Emissions, Faurecia Clean Mobility North America.
Industry-leading hydrogen technology from Faurecia provides a number of advantages, including a greater driving range, shorter refilling times, and a less tank weight, which allows for scalability for both passenger and commercial vehicles. Most importantly, it provides a lower total cost of ownership, a metric in which fuel cell electric cars are expected to beat battery electric vehicles between 2023 and 2030, according to industry estimates.
The ability to lower the cost of hydrogen mobility is critical to providing a competitive solution, and Faurecia and Symbio intend to cut the cost of hydrogen storage systems and stacks by more than 75% by 2030, using their research and development skills and industrial know-how. When building the next generation of tanks, Faurecia is looking for ways to make the product more robust, sustainable, and long-lasting, while still providing the best in class in terms of safety, performance, and cost-efficiency.
Important advances as Faurecia continues to consolidate its position as a leader in the hydrogen industry include:
In France, Faurecia has established a global center of competence for hydrogen technology. Faurecia is developing the next generation of homologated, smart, lightweight, and cost-competitive hydrogen storage systems at this center of excellence, which will enhance performance without compromising safety.
Symbio is a joint venture between Faurecia and Michelin that is split 50/50. Symbio has created a complete variety of fuel cell stacks that may be used in a wide range of applications in the automotive sector. These fuel cell stacks, which are referred to as StackPacksTM, may be installed in light and medium-duty commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, and passenger automobiles.
During the month of April 2021, Faurecia finalized the acquisition of CLD, a Chinese company that is one of the top makers of hydrogen tanks. As a result of this purchase, Faurecia was granted a contract by SAIC Motor to supply hydrogen tanks for a large fleet of commercial trucks. Also recently approved by the Chinese central government as the first domestic manufacturer of Type IV hydrogen tanks, CLD is a leader in the field.
Stellantis will get fuel cell stacks and hydrogen storage systems from Faurecia and Symbio, which will be used in light commercial cars. In addition, Faurecia will equip about 1,600 Hyundai heavy-duty vehicles that will be transported to Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility’s facility in Switzerland.
In 2021, Faurecia will become a prominent member of many key hydrogen associations in North America, including the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) and the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CFCP) (CaFCP). As the use of hydrogen for transportation gains pace, Faurecia is at the center of a developing ecosystem of partners that is assisting in its industrialisation and widespread acceptance.
The company is thus well-positioned to meet the rising worldwide demand for zero-emission hydrogen transportation solutions. The business intends to expand its hydrogen footprint into North America by establishing a new hydrogen R&D and manufacturing facility in the United States and Canada.
