Symbio FCell Works in Partnership with Renault Trucks and La Poste to Propose on the Renault Maxity Electric a Range Extender Running on Hydrogen

PARIS -- March 10, 2015: Symbio FCell equip a Maxity Electric by Renault Trucks with a range extender running on hydrogen. For La Poste group that truck see its autonomy to increase from 100 to 200 kilometers and is tested under actual operating conditions for a year, at Dole in Jura – France. This extension of autonomy fits the needs with the daily missions of La Poste in urban and suburban areas.

“Hydrogen is unavoidable to increase the autonomy and the availability of commercial electric vehicles. Awareness of the various players in the sector starts to operate. La Poste and Renault Trucks are among the pioneers with whom we work for several years. We are really happy with this new partnership”

The operating principle of the Symbio FCell solution is simple. When the battery life of the truck is reached, the fuel cell provides energy to the electric motor. The overall autonomy of the truck is thus doubled. In addition, the heat generated by the fuel cell can be reused to heat the interior of the truck, which preserves the autonomy avoiding the use of energy in the batteries. Finally, when stopped, the fuel cell can also charges the battery if necessary. The Maxity Electric by Renault Trucks is equipped with 2 tanks of 75 liters each to store 4 kg of hydrogen at 350 bar.

The Symbio FCell Mobility solutions based on the conversion of hydrogen into electricity through a fuel cell, produce 5 kW to 300 kW and zero carbon emissions. They are ideal for road vehicles, river boats and heavy use cycle platforms in urban areas.

For La Poste this project is a continuation of tests already committed to prolong the lifetime of its vehicles and aims to support the large cities in limiting noise and emissions thanks to clean vehicles. La Poste now has the world's largest fleet of electric vehicles.

With this partnership, Symbio FCell, La Poste and Renault Trucks launched a strong signal to the French hydrogen transportation sector whose development will necessitate a synergy of different actors whether public or industrial.

As part of this partnership, Fabio Ferrari, CEO of Symbio FCell, said: "Hydrogen is unavoidable to increase the autonomy and the availability of commercial electric vehicles. Awareness of the various players in the sector starts to operate. La Poste and Renault Trucks are among the pioneers with whom we work for several years. We are really happy with this new partnership".