Hopium, a French producer of high-end hydrogen vehicles, has announced a collaboration with Plastic Omnium to improve the hydrogen storage device for the future Hopium Mchina.

The first French hydrogen-powered sedan is expected to enter the market in 2026, according to this high-end vehicle, which was first revealed in October 2020. In June 2021, the Mchina prototype will be revealed to the public. It will be outfitted with a 700-bar Type IV* vessel manufactured by Plastic Omnium in its Herentals (Belgium) factory, which has been operational since the fall of 2020.

Hopium and Plastic Omnium have formed a partnership to create the Hopium Mchina hydrogen storage device for the production series, building on their initial collaboration. Plastic Omnium will provide Hopium with a prototype high-pressure Type IV* hydrogen vessel for testing, based on nearly 40 patents and a range of in-house produced, approved hydrogen storage vessels.

Hopium will be able to increase the amount of hydrogen stored and reach its ambitious 1,000-kilometer goal range thanks to this latest generation’s optimum integration into the vehicle frame.

Laurent Favre, Chief Executive Officer of Plastic Omnium, says: “With Hopium, we are convinced of hydrogen’s major role in tomorrow’s sustainable mobility. Plastic Omnium is proud to provide its expertise in hydrogen technologies and help develop the Hopium Māchina storage system, an innovative project for low-carbon mobility.”

Olivier Lombard, Chairman and CEO of Hopium, adds: “As the first 100% hydrogen car manufacturer, Hopium stands at the forefront of green technologies. This partnership with Plastic Omnium shows our desire to collaborate with a key hydrogen mobility player to develop the Māchina, a new generation of zero-emission vehicle.”