Detroit, the automotive capital of the United States has published a white paper entitled Detroit’s hydrogen mobility future. The city is convinced that hydrogen is complementary to battery electric and has a role to play in heavy-duty mobility. 

The 8-page booklet is signed by Tim Slusser, Chief of Mobility Innovation for the city of Detroit. It is because the future of mobility is being prepared in Michigan, with a whole ecosystem bringing together manufacturers and researchers, that it is time to implement a major initiative. In agreement with the state, Detroit wants to promote hydrogen mobility by creating the conditions necessary for its adoption, particularly in terms of infrastructure.

In its argument, the city points out that the hydrogen vehicle is a form of electric vehicle with advantages in terms of refuelling speed. Furthermore, it does not require charging stations delivering powers in the 100s of kW or even the megawatts (MW). Setting up a wide array of these kind of stations could represent an issue for a countries such as the United States in which the electrical grid is not one of their main assets. But Detroit emphasises that both hydrogen and electric mobility solutions are complementary and not to be opposed to one another.

Detroit: a road transport corridor

Detroit believes that the use cases are relevant for trucks (regional transit and long-haul trucking, special vehicles), logistics, port vehicles, trains and *VTOLs. It is also counting on fuel cells to support the electrical grid. 

It just so happens that Michigan is part of Joe Biden’s ambitious programme of hydrogen hubs. The state is involved in the Mach2 hub in the Midwest and will play the role of a corridor for road transport, due to its proximity to the Canadian border. The aim is to prepare for the deployment of hydrogen mobility from 2030. It is also a call to investors and manufacturers. Detroit has all the skills required, with its university, labs and start-ups.

Detroit points out that General Motors and Honda produce fuel cells in Michigan and that Nel is planning to set up a gigafactory.

*VTOL: Vertical take-off and landing vehicle

Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King