Michelin, Symbio set out to prove hydrogen fuel cell truck's capabilities

GREENVILLE, S.C.—Tires are just the start.

Because for Michelin North America Inc., the focus is on moving. Forward. Sustainably.

Yes, tires play a critical role in the company's overarching mission to create stronger, safer more reliable mobility ecosystems. But Michelin's vision for mobility is wider—the commitment deeper—than tires alone.

And that space—around and beyond tires—is where the company's commitment to cleaner mobility takes root.

"Michelin is—and always has been—a forward-thinking mobility company," Anthony Reyes, vice president of hydrogen services for Michelin North America Inc. told Rubber News in an e-mail interview. "We're on the ground floor of multiple initiatives, nationally and globally, that will push the development of the infrastructure needed to make hydrogen mobility take off."

And given the chance, Michelin says, hydrogen mobility will take off. In fact, the company is so sure of the technology's promise that it is prepared to prove it with a 12-month project that puts its hydrogen fuel cell capabilities to the test.

Backed by a $2 million grant from the California Energy Commission, Michelin, its partner Faurecia S.E. and the two companies' joint venture Symbio, will develop a hydrogen-fueled, regional-haul Class 8 truck as part of the state-supported hydrogen mobility project.

The aim, Michelin said, is to demonstrate that a hydrogen fuel cell truck can match the performance of a 15-liter diesel truck. And not only match the performance of diesel, but do so with zero emissions, which would be a major sustainability step forward for regional-haul trucking and a giant leap toward California's 2045 carbon neutrality goals.

"Hydrogen technology is a vital element in the electric vehicle revolution because it not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but it's also a faster-charging, longer-range option for electric vehicles," Alexis Garcin, Michelin North America chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "This award is a big step in our commitment to sustainable development and mobility."

The truck project, dubbed "Symbio H2 Central Valley Express," launches more officially in the second half of 2023, when the hydrogen fuel cell truck takes to California roadways. Throughout the following 12 months, the truck will run along the challenging 400-mile route between Inland Empire and Northern San Joaquin Valley, where it will utilize existing hydrogen infrastructure, primarily provided by Air Liquide, Shell and Trillium.

Michelin technology won't just be driving the hydrogen- fuel-cell-powered truck. It'll be carrying it as well.

By connecting the truck to the roadway with tire technology fine-tuned to new mobility and heavy duty use applications, Michelin also has a chance to prove the performance of its tires against the grueling new mobility space.

"Tires are a guarantee of safety and comfort, and performance and efficiency, regardless of the vehicle's propulsion system. However, these factors take on even greater significance with electric and hydrogen vehicles," Reyes said. "These vehicles provide instant torque, subjecting tires to considerable stress."

Like EVs, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles' high torque demands much from tires in terms of wear, and their silent rides require quiet from the tires. And while weight isn't as much of a factor with HFCVs as it is with EVs, it still must be managed for optimal performance.

Then, of course, there's range efficiency.

"Given the challenge of battery range, rolling resistance and the tire's aerodynamic performance are even more critical for vehicle efficiency," Reyes said of the new mobility space.

Luckily, he added, those are areas where Michelin technology shines.

"Durability, rolling noise and rolling resistance are the cornerstones of Michelin's technological superiority," Reyes said. "Michelin is uniquely equipped to meet the challenges of cleaner mobility and help transition toward greener, more efficient and more independent mobility solutions.

"The technology that helps deliver maximum efficiency/range to EVs today is something we first released in 1992 and was the result of many years of research around low-rolling resistance, a feature paramount to delivering EV range," he added. "We deliver industry-leading wear performance in a variety of products appreciated by both EV and ICE consumers. As we have done in the past, we continue to invest heavily in R&D to ensure that Michelin is consistently delivering long lasting, best-in-class performance, safety and efficiency across our suite of tire offerings."

Michelin's support of the Symbio H2 Central Valley Express also manifests in maintenance and service. The Michelin Commercial Services Network will ensure tire and light mechanical maintenance, as well as fueling through trusted commercial partners.

And with Nextraq, technology the tire maker acquired in 2017, Michelin will keep the truck connected to data and information needed to keep it running optimally.

"(Nextraq) provides driver safety data, fleet visibility tracking, maintenance data, as well as work force management tools," Reyes said. "These solutions improve productivity, while making operations safer and reducing downtime due to repairs and service."

The Symbio H2 Central Valley Express project is far from Michelin's first foray into hydrogen technology. The tire maker has been focusing its efforts on hydrogen fuel cell development for more than 20 years. Michelin was able to take its efforts even further in 2019 when it joined forces with Faurecia, creating the 50/50 joint venture Symbio.

"It's all about advancing hydrogen zero-emission mobility solutions," Reyes said of Symbio's overarching aims. "We want to prove that hydrogen is a viable solution for all applications, but with a focus on heavy duty trucking and light commercial vehicles."

Nanterre, France-based Faurecia—now part of Forvia Group—is an automotive supplier specializing in componentry, such as dashboards, seats and exhaust systems, but it also has expertise in the development of what Reyes calls "very high-quality, high pressure hydrogen tanks."

Symbio, Reyes said, is built on a solid foundation of complementary expertise, and that sets it up to be a leader in hydrogen mobility. Its leadership, he contends, already is being recognized as Symbio has provided fuel cells for Stellantis utility vans and Safra buses in Europe.

And the most recent generation of fuel cells offered by the company are a fourth-generation version of a product originally developed by Michelin R&D, according to Reyes.

So why hydrogen? How did it become an area of focus for the world's largest tire maker?

Well, it all comes back to a simple pledge.

As it moves forward, Michelin has promised to balance its decisions, R&D and investments on what is best for people, profit and planet.

"Respect for the Environment is one of our five core values," Reyes said. "And protecting the environment is one of the three key facets of Michelin's vision for the future. Michelin is actively fostering balanced growth that benefits the company (Profit) and the community (People), while also being environmentally responsible (Planet)."

And this space—this place where responsibility and sustainability collide—is where hydrogen fits in. After all, he noted, Michelin is committed to fighting global warming through its product development and operations. That vision takes shape with commitments to produce tires that increasingly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and deliver superior performance; achieve carbon-neutral manufacturing by 2050; and develop hydrogen-powered and low-carbon mobility technology to go hand in hand with battery-powered electric vehicles.

"Hydrogen is perfectly suited to decarbonize heavy duty mobility, bringing distinctive advantages including more autonomy, higher payload, a shorter refueling time and a reduced total cost of ownership," Reyes said. "It is particularly attractive for highly utilized commercial vehicles, which need a longer driving range and faster refueling time to maximize uptime."

And all of that comes back to what Michelin does best: Move. Forward.

"At Michelin, we've been working to optimize mobility for over 125 years," Reyes said. "As mobility has evolved and R&D has gotten more advanced, so have our tires (and technology)."