The Occitanie Region has just added forklifts to the list of hydrogen uses eligible for financial assistance
Fenwick contributed to this progress and aims to see the system duplicated in other regions of France, to support the development of this sector.
Users of hydrogen-powered forklifts can now apply for financial aid from the Occitanie region. Positioned early on in the green hydrogen sector, the region, which encompasses 13 departments in the South of France, has implemented a development plan worth €150 million, from 2020 to 2030.
The actions carried out concern the entire chain, from research to production, including distribution and the development of uses, particularly around mobility, for people and goods. In January 2024, Fenwick took the initiative to bring together various stakeholders in the hydrogen sector in Béziers: producers, users and equipment manufacturers, in the presence of the Regional Economic Development Agency (Ad’Occ), which is leading the HyDeO sector animation plan, launched in 2018 by the Occitanie Region and Ademe.
The agency’s mission is to accelerate economic development and the deployment of hydrogen in the region, with the aim of creating a comprehensive, sustainable, and job-creating local ecosystem.
FenwickLinde supports the adoption of hydrogen trucks
Anthony Vernizeau, Product and Energy Marketing Manager at FenwickLinde, explains:
We’ve seen a surge in interest in hydrogen from our customers in recent months ,
“This energy represents immediate financial gains for them thanks to increased productivity, as well as optimized space in their buildings.” However, the initial investment may seem too high for many companies. Fenwick has therefore implemented a complete solution to support them in this transition to hydrogen. “We call on partners for distribution and infrastructure installation and have developed our own fuel cell .”
For an all-inclusive rent, the company has access to equipment, energy, infrastructure, their upkeep and maintenance.
Anthony Vernizeau, affirms said:
We bear the financial risk for the customers and we put in place financing aids, because we are convinced by hydrogen technology, beyond just the Occitanie region
Support from the Occitanie region
The approach taken by the Occitanie Region, with the implementation of two support schemes, adopted last October, echoes this conviction. One was created to help businesses, communities, and stakeholders in the hydrogen sector meet mobility and infrastructure challenges. The second, which concerns Fenwick customers, is intended for hydrogen mobility users and covers the purchase or rental of land vehicles. The maximum amount of aid is capped at €300,000 per beneficiary, and is open until December 31, 2025, with a total budget of €2 million. The aid is calculated according to the size of the company: for a large company, it will represent 25% of the additional cost compared to a diesel solution, 40% for medium-sized companies, and 50% for small companies.
A Call for Expressions of Interest (CEI), entitled,
Densification of the H2 station network in Occitanie
Has also been opened until 30/05/2025. Its objective is to identify hydrogen refueling infrastructure projects in relevant or strategic areas, which will complement the first network initiated by the “Corridor H2 Occitanie” project in the Occitan region.
Benjamin Févre, facilitator of Ad’Occ, in charge of coordinating and running the regional HyDeO tool, explains:
The Region is working in collaboration with industry leaders to offer hydrogen mobility solutions.
“Companies like Safran, Fenwick, Stellantis, Hyvia, Hysetco, Hyundai, Hyliko and GCK are already offering hydrogen-powered vehicles, adapted to the needs of various sectors. Whether for transporting goods or passengers, these models are available and ready for immediate deployment ,”
A pilot action that will have an impact on the entire territory
According to Anthony Vernizeau:
Ecologically interesting hydrogen must be renewable, we are talking here about “green” hydrogen
Unlike gray or yellow hydrogen, green hydrogen is produced by sending an electric current of renewable origin into water (electrolysis), to separate hydrogen and oxygen, and not release any pollutants. Developing green hydrogen in Occitanie therefore aims to decarbonize the region’s industry and mobility, to meet 20% of national energy demand by 2050. This ambition is shared centrally and regionally by the Fenwick teams, who aspire to see this type of action multiply throughout the territory and for the support of Ademe and BPI to also extend to forklifts.
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The Occitanie Region has just added forklifts to the list of hydrogen uses eligible for financial assistance, source
