Hydrogen mobility given a €213m boost by European Commission

French company Faurecia (part of the FORVIA Group) has been awarded a €213m grant by the European Commission to further develop its hydrogen technology project.

The initiative is supported by the French Government in IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest). Under the IPCEI initiative, 10 projects (including Faurecia’s) are being given €2.1bn to accelerate the hydrogen industry in France.

Faurecia is developing a new range of hydrogen tanks (liquid and gas) that are set to industrialise affordable, clean hydrogen mobility. It is aiming to have the technology commercially ready by 2027. The company also has a partnership with Michelin, creating hydrogen fuel cell technology under the brand name Symbio.

Started in September 2021, Faurecia's Historhy Next project consists of developing two generations of lightweight carbon fiber gaseous hydrogen tanks alongside a tank to store hydrogen in cryogenic form.

Said Patrick Koller, CEO of Faurecia: “I welcome the decision of the European Commission and the confidence placed in our projects. We are committed to bringing out hydrogen technology. This subsidy confirmed by the French government, which is in addition to the nearly €300 million already invested since 2017 by Faurecia in hydrogen mobility, allows us to consolidate our position as European leader by being present on 75% of the value chain.”

Image: FORVIA