• Nine months after its creation, HYVIA, the Renault Group and Plug Power’s joint-venture dedicated to hydrogen mobility, inaugurates its plant at Refactory, Renault Group’s manufacturing site for the circular economy located in Flins, Ile-de-France.
• This is the first step in a wider industrial project.
• HYVIA is ready to start assembly and test of fuel cell modules based on Plug Power’s advanced technology. The 30kW fuel cell will power Renault Master H2-TECH portfolio (Van, Chassis Cab and City Bus).
• By the end of 2022, the plant will also begin assembly of H2 refueling stations and the production of low carbon hydrogen with a first electrolyzer.
• HYVIA confirms its anchoring based in France and the deployment of its complete solutions for hydrogen mobility. HYVIA’s ambition is to reach 30% of the LCV H2 European market by 2030.

HYVIA plant: a wider industrial project

The HYVIA plant in Flins is the first step within a wider industrial project, beginning today with 3 000m² and a highly skilled team of about 15 employees: operators, managers and technicians coming from Flins manufacture.
The HYVIA plant enhances safety, environment, and quality: it is not only a main stake but a priority, applying the best practices from Renault Group and Plug Power.
By the end of 2022:

• The fuel cell assembly & testing line will have a capacity of 1 000 fuel cell/year.
• The H2 refueling station assembly line will begin.
• The H2 supply will also begin with the installation of a 1MW electrolyzer that will supply H2 to the plant (450 kg H2 / day), for testing fuel cells and H2 refueling stations.
• The plant will also operate with H2 powered forklifts.

In the coming years, the HYVIA plant will continue to ramp up with a second step, increasing local and vertical integration.

HYVIA fuel cell: a human, technological and industrial challenge

A human challenge

Like the rest of HYVIA staff, engineering, and manufacturing teams at Flins have embarked an ambitions challenge impacting the H2 ecosystem. To meet this ambition, engineers and operators in the plant have completed specialty training in France and in the United States, receiving the necessary expertise necessary to assemble and test a fuel cell.
The complementary skills of operational teams of both Renault Group and Plug Power are a key for HYVIA’s success.

A technological challenge

The 30kW fuel cell is a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology, designed based on the proven and durable Plug Power technology.
It brings together air and hydrogen, allowing increased power and range for mobility. Both air and hydrogen flows enter in the fuel cell stack, the “heart” of the fuel cell. The fuel cell stack consists of a negative electrode (anode) and positive electrode (cathode), separated by a polymer membrane. Hydrogen molecules are separated into electrons and cations. The electrons go to an external circuit, generating a flow of electricity that powers both our 33KWh battery and our 57kW electric engine. The cations go through the polymer membrane and are associated with anions of the air to create water.

An industrial challenge

The fuel cell stack is associated with a large system of approximately 450 components and flux (air, H2, power, coolant and water). The assembly line of HYVIA plant is ready to begin a complex component assembly including high power controller and convertor, air filter, compressor and humidifier, coolant system and the final assembly of the heart of the fuel cell.
The fuel cell test zone is operational thanks to H2 already on site and will ensure fuel cell quality and safety.

HYVIA: based in France

HYVIA confirms its industrial anchoring in France. HYVIA headquarters, engineering, R&D center, H2 integration and vehicle production are also based in France. Since its creation in 2021, HYVIA has grown to about 70 employees since its creation, including a strong engineering team.

• HYVIA continues to lead green H2 mobility. After the reveal of Renault Master Van H2-TECH last month, HYVIA unveils two new Hydrogen Light Commercial Vehicles prototypes with zero CO2 emissions*, increased range, and 5 minutes refueling time.
• Renault Master Chassis Cab H2-TECH is revealed at Solutrans from 16 to 20 November (Eurexpo Lyon, France). This vehicle allows a range of about 250km and great possibilities of tailor-made conversions. It meets the needs of professionals seeking a solution adapted to their needs, for instance the possibility of a box van conversion with a cargo space of 19m3.
• Renault Master City Bus H2-TECH is presented for the first time at the Salon des Maires from 16 to 18 November (Porte de Versailles, Paris, France). This urban minibus can carry up to 15 passengers, with a range of about 300km. It is ideal for businesses, municipalities, and local public services.
• They are equipped with a 30kW fuel cell that will be assembled in France. Vehicle, e-motor and hydrogen integration are also made in France.
• Both vehicles will be available in 2022 with green hydrogen production and distribution solutions.

Renault Master Chassis Cab H2-TECH

• With a range of about 250km, it enables more usages for professionals to extend autonomy for high loads and intensive use.
• Tailored for conversions. The box van with its 19m3 is the first release convenient for large transport of goods and packages up to 1 000kg of payload.
• Renault Master Chassis Cab H2-TECH is equipped with a 30kW fuel cell, a 33kWh battery and tanks containing 3kg of hydrogen (2 tanks of 1,5 kg) at 700 bars.
• The vehicle showcases the on-board hydrogen technology, enhancing the operation of the fuel cell and the hydrogen flows.

Renault Master City Bus H2-TECH

• Renault Master City Bus H2-TECH enables a range of about 300km, it can carry up to 15 passengers (9 sitting, 6 standing) and inclusive transportation with wheelchair accessible.
• It meets the needs for businesses, municipalities, and local public services.
• Renault Master City Bus H2-TECH is equipped with a 30kW fuel cell, a 33kWh battery and a tank containing 4,5kg of hydrogen at 350 bars.

In a nutshell: full HYVIA ecosystem to be available in 2022

In 2022, HYVIA will deploy its full ecosystem:
– Renault Master Van H2-TECH: a large van for transporting goods and packages, with 12m3 of cargo volume and a range of up to 500km.
– Renault Master Chassis-Cab H2-TECH: for various conversions, including a box van of 19m3, with a range of 250km.
– Renault Master City Bus H2-TECH: an urban minibus that can carry up to 15 passengers, with a range of about 300km.
– HYVIA’s Hydrogen Refueling Station: for fast fueling time (5 minutes), as simple as thermic, to maximize vehicle availability.

Made in France:
– Renault Master is produced at Batilly plant in France.
– Electric and hydrogen integration is realized by PVI, a Renault Group subsidiary in GretzArmainvilliers.- E-motor is produced at Cleon plant.
– Fuel cell assembly and Hydrogen Refueling Station will begin at Flins plant.
– And more to come.

* When driving, neither CO2 nor other regulated air pollutants, in accordance with the WLTP certification.

HYVIA unveils Renault Master Van H2-TECH prototype
– Zero CO2 emissions*, increased range, and fast refueling time.
– A large van for transporting goods, with 12m3 of cargo volume and a range of up to 500km, available in 2022.
– Equipped with a 30kW fuel cell that will be assembled in France by the end the year.
– Vehicle, e-motor and hydrogen integration are also made in France.

HYVIA unveils its Hydrogen Refueling Station prototype
– To offer customer convenient refueling options where public hydrogen infrastructure is still in development.
– Fast refueling time, simple and safe to use.
– Assembly in France by the end of the year.

These prototypes are a first illustration of the unique and complete HYVIA ecosystem including green hydrogen production and distribution, with a range of fuel cell-powered light commercial vehicles.

Meet HYVIA at Hyvolution tradeshow in Paris on Oct 27,28.

Renault Master Van H2-TECH prototype

• Renault Master Van H2-TECH enables zero CO2 emissions*, increased range, and fast refueling time.
• It is a large van for transporting goods and packages, with 12m3 of cargo volume and a range of up to 500km, available in 2022. It will meet the needs of businesses, large accounts, fleets, and local communities. Today, hydrogen mobility is particularly meaningful for Light Commercial Vehicles: perfect to extend autonomy for high loads and intensive use.
• Renault Master Van H2-TECH is equipped with a 30kW fuel cell, a 33kWh battery and tanks containing 6kg of hydrogen (4 tanks of 1,5 kg).

Made in France:
– Renault Master Van is produced in France, at Batilly plant.
– Electric and hydrogen integration is realized by PVI, a Renault Group subsidiary in GretzArmainvilliers.
– e-motor is produced at Cleon plant.
– Fuel cell assembly will begin at Flins plant by the end of the year.
– The hydrogen tanks will be sourced in France, from Faurecia.

Hydrogen Refueling Station prototype

HYVIA’s Hydrogen Refueling Station allows fast fueling time: 5 minutes, as simple as thermic, to maximize vehicle availability.
The way this station operate is simple:
– Hydrogen supplied will either be generated on-site using water electrolysis or supplied in bulk using gaseous tube trailers.
– The system compresses H2 into storage, before dispensing it into the vehicle when needed.
And it’s all about safety: our systems are designed to meet all regulations and best practices.
HYVIA’s Hydrogen Refueling Stations will be available to purchase, lease or rent.
They will be assembled in France, at Flins factory.

Unique and complete HYVIA ecosystem

These prototypes are a first illustration of the HYVIA ecosystem including green hydrogen production (electrolyzers) and distribution (Hydrogen refueling Station), with a range of fuel cell-powered light commercial vehicles (Van, Chassis Cab and Citybus), complementary to battery electric vehicles.

Next prototypes to come:

• Renault Master Chassis Cab H2-TECH: a large van with even more cargo space (19m3) and a range of about 250km.
• Renault Master Citybus H2-TECH: an urban minibus that can carry up to 15 passengers, ideal for businesses, municipalities, and local public services, with a range of about 300km. When driving, neither CO2 nor other regulated air pollutants, in accordance with the WLTP certification.

* When driving, neither CO2 nor other regulated air pollutants, in accordance with the WLTP certification.

• ‘HY’ for hydrogen, ‘VIA’ for road: HYVIA paves a new way forward for the carbon-free mobility ecosystem.
• Green hydrogen from electrolysis of water enables mobility with zero CO2 emissions*, increased range, and a short refuelling time.
• HYVIA ecosystem includes green hydrogen production, storage, and distribution with hydrogen refuelling stations by the end of 2021.

HYVIA will offer a wide range of fuel cell-powered light commercial vehicles by the end of 2021:
– Renault Master Van H2-TECH – a large van for transporting goods and packages, with 12m3 of cargo volume and a range of up to 500km.
– Renault Master Chassis Cab H2-TECH – a large van for transporting larger freight, with 19m3 of cargo volume and a range of approximately 250km.
– Renault Master Citybus H2-TECH – for transporting up to 15 people, with a range of about 300km.

• A range of financing options and maintenance services will also be offered.
• HYVIA is located in France at four locations. Assembly of fuel cells and hydrogen refuelling stations at the Flins factory starts in late 2021. The products will be sold throughout Europe.

Fuel cells and a green hydrogen ecosystem

HYVIA builds on the expertise of Plug Power, a global leader of hydrogen solutions with over 20 years of experience in fuel cells and electrolyzers, and a network of more than 100 refuelling stations that dispense over 40 tons of hydrogen every day.
HYVIA will offer electrolysis solutions, mobile storage stations and, by late 2021, hydrogen refuelling stations assembled in Flins, France. The hydrogen refuelling stations will be available to rent or purchase and are guaranteed to be simple and safe to use.

Wide range of hydrogen fuel cell powered LCVs

HYVIA draws on the expertise of Renault Group, European leader of electric LCVs with 40% market share, and pioneer of hydrogen LCVs since 2014.
HYVIA will offer a range of three fuel cell powered LCVs by the end of the year, an offer complementary to battery electric vehicles.
Renault Master Van H2-TECH is a large van that is best suited for the transport of goods, with a range of up to 500km and a cargo volume of 12m3.
Renault Master Chassis Cab H2-TECH is a large van with even more cargo space (19m3) and a range of 250km.
Renault Master Citybus H2-TECH is an urban minibus that can carry up to 15 passengers, ideal for businesses, municipalities and local public services, with a range of 300km.
These vehicles are built on a Dual Power architecture: powered by both electrical and hydrogen-based energy. The vehicles have a range up to 500km: 100km from electrical power, the rest from hydrogen. They are equipped with a 33kWh battery, a 30kW fuel cell, and tanks containing between 3-7kg of hydrogen, depending on the version.

Financing and maintenance services

HYVIA offers leasing and maintenance solutions for all its customers’ needs on both the vehicles and hydrogen solutions and leverages the entire Renault network, one of largest throughout Europe.

HYVIA is based in France:
– Villiers Saint-Frédéric – Head Office and R&D: a dedicated team has started assessing the requirements for large-scale mounting of fuel cells, all within the Renault Group’s centre for LCV engineering and development.
– Flins – Process, Manufacturing, and Logistics: work and assessments for the assembly of fuel cells and hydrogen refueling stations are accelerating with sales expected to start by late 2021.
– Batilly – Production of Renault Master: the Renault Group factory in Batilly manufactures Renault Master for HYVIA.
– Gretz Amainvilliers – PVI (Renault Vehicle Innovation): this subsidiary of Renault Group since 2017, continues the electrification for Renault Master and steps up its capacity to further integrate fuel cell technology. PVI also produces 27 tonne hydrogen-powered trucks.

*When driving, neither CO2 nor other regulated air pollutants, in accordance with the WLTP certification

• HYVIA expects to be first-to-market with turnkey hydrogen mobility solutions: light commercial vehicles with fuel cells, hydrogen charging stations, supply of carbon-free hydrogen, maintenance and management of fleets.
• The joint venture will operate across four sites in France.
• This joint venture intends to contribute to the decarbonization of mobility in Europe positioning France as industrial, commercial and technology leader.

Renault Group, a dominant player in the automotive industry, and Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG), a world leader in turnkey hydrogen and fuel cell solutions, are today launching HYVIA, as announced on January 12th, 2021. The joint venture is equally owned by the two partners and is chaired by David Holderbach, with over 20 years of experience in strategic, product and international sales at the Renault Group.
The name HYVIA is a contraction of “HY” for hydrogen and the Latin word “VIA” for road, embodying the ambition to open a new path towards low-carbon mobility. Commercial vehicles such as LCVs require greater range and shorter refueling time, operational demands where hydrogen fuel cells are the unparalleled energy solution.

HYVIA’s activities will be carried out at existing Renault facilities in France:
1. The head office of the joint venture as well as the R&D teams will be located at Villiers-Saint-Frédéric, with the light commercial vehicle engineering and development center for Renault Group, to maximize
synergy across teams.
2. The process, manufacturing and logistics teams will be based in Flins, as part of the Re-Factory project,
and plan to begin the assembly of fuel cells and recharging stations by end of 2021.
3. The first vehicles, based on Renault Master, will be assembled at the Batilly plant.
4. The fuel cell integration will be carried out by PVI, a subsidiary of Renault Group since 2017, located in Gretz-Armainvilliers.

The HYVIA integrated hydrogen technology complements Renault’s E-TECH technology, increasing vehicle range to 500 km with rapid recharging time of 3 minutes. These advantages are particularly wellsuited to  certain uses of light commercial vehicles while simultaneously addressing the regulatory challenges of decarbonizing city centers.

The first three fuel cell vehicles brought to market by HYVIA will be based on the Renault Master platform and should be available in Europe by end of 2021 and accompanied with the deployment of charging stations and the supply of green hydrogen:
– Transport of goods: Van version and Chassis cab version for large volumes.
– Transport of people: City bus version.