≈5,000 (1) trains produced annually worldwide (excluding China) At OPmobility, agility is vital: we are constantly adapting and we are able to move from one market to another, from cars to heavy-duty vehicles, depending on the technologies’ maturity and the opportunities that arise. From batteries to electrify railway lines and hydrogen tanks for trucks, the Group is committed to an accelerated learning approach; this ensures that it will be ready when the markets really take off. “The rail sector cannot be compared to the industrial volumes of the automotive industry,” explains Thierry Campenon, Vice President of Sales, Programs, and Electrification Development of the C-Power Business Group. “There is considerable potential: there can be up to 16 batteries on board a train, equivalent to more than one MWh. Every country that wants to move away from fossil fuels is interested in this agile solution. In addition to the undeniable environmental benefits of this solution, it also prevents the costly electrification of railways, estimated at around a million euros per kilometer(2).” OPmobility decided to expand into this market with the acquisition of ACTIA Power in 2022. In addition to two orders in development and an ongoing program with Alstom, it is also working with Siemens. “We can adapt to the specificities of the train market,” says Thierry Campenon. “Everything is different: when we are awarded a contract, it’s a 30-year commitment. We have to be able to ensure the long-term supply of spare parts that are required for train maintenance. We are building a strong industrial relationship, based on trust and our ability to support our customers’ needs over the course of several decades.” And what about trucks? “Another form of mobility that’s quite unlike the automotive industry,” says Xavier Ponchon, Managing Director Europe of the H2-Power Business Group. “It’s a highly concentrated market, with four or five major players in Europe and the United States, while the market in China is more fragmented. In comparison to the automotive market, the focus is more on value than volume: a hydrogen tank for a truck costs between 30,000 and 35,000 euros, compared to around 100 euros for a fuel tank.” The Group entered this market by signing a retrofitting(3) partnership with Hyliko in 2022. This enabled the Group to develop expertise in high-value hydrogen storage systems before entering the bus and truck markets. Today, OPmobility has two fleets on order for Volvo and is also working with two other major groups. “Our aim is to work closely with manufacturers when making technological choices so that we can improve the solutions we create for them. Designing and fitting an 80-kilogram hydrogen tank for a truck requires insightful and continuous coordination. This close relationship with our customers builds long term trust and confidence for the future,” Xavier Ponchon concludes. MORE THAN JUST CARS Conquering new markets Because decarbonization is a subject of concern for all mobility stakeholders, particularly heavy mobility such as trains and trucks, OPmobility is developing its expertise and diversifying its technologies. In addition to expanding its customer portfolio, this market expansion strategy leverages the Group’s technological leadership and enables it to optimize its industrial capabilities. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 300,000 to 350,000 medium- and heavy-duty trucks produced annually in Europe(4) Batteries Fuel cells Hydrogen tanks (1) Source: Rolling Stock Market Size - Global Report 2033. (2) Source: Alstom. (3) Retrofitting involves replacing the vehicle’s engine with an electric motor. (4) Source: The ICCT - International Council on Clean Transportation. OPmobility — Vibes #3 14 • • 15
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