The France fuel cell market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 10.23% throughout 2020-2025. The government of France, under its new strategy “Plan Hydrog?ne”, aims to invest heavily on hydrogen and fuel cell technology. It aims to carve out a budget of EUR 100 million, to be allocated in 2019. A 3-axis plan to make France the world leader in hydrogen, starting in 2019, around EUR 100 million will be earmarked for the implementation of the hydrogen deployment plan, organized around three main axes. Development for zero-emission solutions for transportation sectors, with the deployment on the horizon for 2023 of 5000 light vehicles, 200 heavy vehicles, and 100 hydrogen stations to refuel vehicles with locally produced hydrogen. However, the less number of refuel stations ratio compared to vehicle production, owning to the supply-demand gap and several other factors have been restraining the growth of the fuel cell market.

  • Transportation accounted for the largest share in 2019, owing to the rising number of fuel cell-powered vehicles.
  • The European Union plans to significantly reduce GHG emissions from the transportation sector. As a result, French government have identified the implementation of innovative technologies, such as fuel cells (primarily PEMFC), as a way to meet these objectives. This, in turn, is expected to provide a significant opportunity for the fuel cell manufacturers involved in the market in the near future.
  • The French government revealed a new plan for the deployment of renewable, decarbonized hydrogen energy in the country in June 2018. The government plans to install 100 hydrogen filling stations by 2023. By 2028, the number is expected to increase to between 400 to 1000 hydrogen filling stations.



Key Market Trends

Transportation Sector to Dominate the Market

  • Transportation Sector has accounted for more than half of the market share in 2018 and is expected to continue its dominance in the coming years. The French government is focusing on clean energy usage in the transportation sector, which, in turn, is creating a significant demand for fuel cell technologies.
  • The French fuel cell market is propelled by the venture capital investments by private organizations and the organizations 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.
  • French public transport operator, Keolis, has worked in partnership with local transport operators on the project launch and is providing technical assistance for the operation of the eight hydrogen’s BRTs.
  • In addition to the hydrogen BRT service in Pau, Keolis launched the fully electric BRT lines in Amiens (May 2019) and Bayonne-Anglet (Sept-2019).



Increase in Hydrogen Filling Stations

  • Hydrogen refueling stations are able to fuel all types of mobility: captive fleets (utility vehicles, lift trucks), public transportation (bus), urban cars (privately owned vehicles), but also heavy transportation such as trucks, trains, boats.
  • Captive fleets and heavy vehicles are key for the business models of charging stations.
  • Government planning to install more hydrogen filling stations to improve fuel cell vehicles, and reduce carbon footprints.
  • In full compliance with the European Union directives machine – 2006/42/EC, low voltage – LV 2014/35/EU, electromagnetic compatibility – EMC 2014/30/EU, pressure equipment directive – PED 2014/68/EU.They are also compliant with the SAE J2600 – J2719 standard.



Competitive Landscape

The France fuel cell market is moderately fragmented. Some of the key players in this market include Ballard Power System Inc, Toshiba Fuel Cell Power System Corporation, Fuelcell Energy Inc, Powercell Sweden AB, and Plug Power Inc.

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