Forvia wins North America contract for Type 4 hydrogen storage in medium-duty commercial trucks

Automotive technology supplier Forvia (Nanterre, France) has secured a contract to supply Type 4 hydrogen (H₂) storage systems for a North American automotive manufacturers’ medium-duty commercial trucks, with start of production in 2025.

In its Q3 2023 sales report, Forvia noted it has stepped up the pace on H₂ development, including inauguration of the H₂ storage tank production site in Allenjoie, France, which it claims is the first such mass production plant for an automotive supplier, with capacity of 100,000 tanks per year by 2030. The company also claims it is the first automotive supplier to have such production Europe, China, Korea and soon in North America. This same report noted single-digit organic growth in Forvia’s Clean Mobility division, which comprises not only H₂ storage tanks but complete systems (via Symbio) as well as exhaust heat recovery systems and sustainable materials mainly sold into seating. Clean Mobility activity in the U.S. was led by important sales development with Stellantis and double-digit growth with Ford. Beyond the strong growth registered in the first half of 2023, hydrogen solutions sales are expected to increase in 2024

According to Patrick Koller, CEO of Forvia, the company is solidifying its “global leading position in hydrogen storage systems,” with “existing serial production in Europe, China and Korea.” With a strong footprint in the Americas region, Forvia currently operates more than 60 sites. The Americas region plays a significant role in Forvia’s global operations, accounting for 28% of the group’s sales in 2022.

Forvia has expertise not only in Type 4 tanks, but Type 3 as well. However, the company notes that Type 4 are well-suited for applications requiring higher pressure and more intensive use, for example truck applications. The polymer liner provides higher durability while providing up to 15% greater driving autonomy, 30% lighter weight and supporting affordability and convenience.

Learn more about the company’s mass rollout of Type 4 tanks.