France Automotive Fuel Cell Market Overview 2027

The government of France is striding to make France one of the world's most powerful leaders in hydrogen under its new strategy Plan Hydrogen. It has planned for the development of a zero-emission transportation sector, with the deployment of light vehicles and the construction of 100 hydrogen stations to refuel vehicles with locally produced hydrogen. By 2028, the number is expected to increase to around 400 to 1,000 hydrogen filling stations. The French fuel cell market is propelled by the venture capital investments by private organisations and the organisations involved in the adoption and implementation of fuel cells in the country. The world’s first hydrogen-powered bus rapid transit (BRT) system has been deployed in the city of Pau in the south of France.

According to the report titled France Automotive Fuel Cell Market Overview, 2027 the automotive fuel cell market in France is expected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 59% during the forecast period. On the basis of fuel type, two types of fuel cells are available: hydrogen fuel cells and methanol fuel cells. Hydrogen is in high demand among the population because hydrogen is a clean and flexible energy source to support zero-carbon energy strategies. However, the low number of refuel stations compared to vehicle production has been restraining the growth of the fuel cell market. Above 200 KW has limited demand because it is mostly used in heavy commercial vehicles.

The automotive fuel cell has the potential to revolutionise the way nations power their countries, offering cleaner, more efficient alternatives to the combustion of gasoline and other fossil fuels. Fuel cells require a continuous input of fuel and an oxidising agent (generally oxygen) in order to sustain the reactions that generate the electricity. Therefore, these cells constantly generate electricity until the supply of fuel and oxygen is cut off. Fuel cell vehicles and the hydrogen infrastructure to fuel them are in the early stages of implementation. In France, the automotive fuel cell market is growing due to an increase in the investment of private and public sectors; awareness among the people about greenhouse gases; and extensive replacement of conventional fuel sources with advanced options, which stimulates the market trend.

Below 100 KW power fuel cells are in demand among automakers due to their suitability for light vehicles like cars and vans that provide sufficient power to the engine in different conditions. These 100 to 200 KW power fuel cells are used by vehicles that require a medium range of power during their working condition. It provides effective power to the engine of such vehicles. Above 200 KW power fuel cells provide large amounts of efficient power to the engine and also improve the capacity of the engine during the working condition of commercial vehicles. The market share of below 100 KW was high as compared to the other two in 2016 and it is expected that its market share will have robust growth by 2027.

In PEMFCs, the hydrogen is converted into proton ions on the catalyst surface and releases electrons in the anode chamber. The proton ion flows through the conductive electrolyte membrane; whereas an electron is driven by the external circuit to produce electricity, then it enters from the other side. DMFCs are electrochemical devices that convert high energy density fuel (liquid methanol) directly to electricity. The DMFC relies upon the oxidation of methanol on a catalyst layer to form carbon dioxide. Alkaline fuel cells consume hydrogen and pure oxygen to produce potable water, heat, and electricity. Phosphoric acid fuel cells have phosphoric acid as the electrolyte. Positively charged hydrogen ions migrate through the electrolyte from the anode to the cathode. In past years, the market attractiveness of others was lower than PEMFC, but it is expected that by 2027 its market attractiveness will be much higher than DMFC.

Hyvia, the joint venture between Renault and fuel cell specialist Plug Power, has opened a plant at Renault’s Refectory in Flins, France. Hyvia plans to assemble and test fuel cell modules based on Plug Power’s technology at the new facility. Plug Power Inc. is a company engaged in the development of hydrogen fuel cell systems that replace conventional batteries in equipment and vehicles powered by electricity.

COVID-19 affected the industry by forcing the manufacturers to shut down the assembly lines and pushing the economy down. With almost zero vehicular movements, there wasn't any new requirement for fuel cells to be installed into new vehicles and spare fuel cells for replacements in already existing vehicles.

Considered in this report

• Geography: France
• Base year: 2021
• Estimated year: 2022
• Forecast year: 2027

Aspects covered in this report

• France Automotive Fuel Cell market and its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Five force models
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Fuel cell by Electrolyte type

• Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
• Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC)
• Others (Alkaline fuel cell and Phosphoric acid fuel cell)

Fuel cell by Fuel type

• Hydrogen fuel
• Methanol fuel

Fuel cell by Power output

• Below 100 KW
• 100 to 200 KW
• Above 200 KW

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analysing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to automotive fuel cell industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.