As originally reported on by Crain’s Detroit Business, General Motors is quietly investing in a hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing plant in Detroit spanning over 290,000 square feet.
Details about the project are few, but what is known is that GM and a Detroit-based supplier intend to manufacture components for hydrogen fuel cell cars once the site is approved and the facilities are green-lit to be built.
GM, Toyota betting on hydrogen amid setbacks in the technology
This is not the first Michigan-based hydrogen fuel cell plant GM has announced this year. Back in January, GM Authority reported on a GM-Toyota joint partnership in Brownsville that was in the works.
However, hydrogen has been taking a bit of a beating this year. Just this week, Shell Oil and Norwegian energy company Equinor both announced two separate cancellations to hydrogen manufacturing projects planned to be built in Norway, citing lack of demand, as reported by Reuters.
Back in February, Shell also made headlines by closing its experimental network of hydrogen fueling stations in California. While they maintained heavy-duty refueling, the dream of light-duty refueling has been dealt significant setbacks this year.
A prototype of a GM fuel cell in the Chevy Equinox at the 2009 New York International Auto Show.
Former NBA player owns the company GM is partnering with
Despite these setbacks, there’s still a lot to be excited for in the world of hydrogen green energy and a sense of hope that eventually economic feasibility will become possible. One of the more interesting parts of this new project announcement is who GM is partnering with – Piston Automotive.
While one could be forgiven for assuming the company is named after the auto parts they specialize in, it is actually so-called because the auto supplier is owned by former Detroit Pistons NBA player Vinnie Johnson.
Piston Automotive already has several locations around the US, and in addition to getting into hydrogen technology, is already established in electrical and battery, powertrain and transmission, interior, exterior, and chassis work, as outlined on their website.
Site of plant to be old Michigan State Fairgrounds
The site that GM has settled on for the project is the old Michigan State Fairgrounds, a sprawling complex built along Woodward Avenue, famous for being the first road in the world to install a 3-way traffic signal, and 8 Mile, famous for its status in rap culture, as well as it’s unfortunate association with the discriminatory practice of red-lining home loans.
Not everyone is happy about GM’s decision
The fairgrounds premises have been transformed in recent years, with an Amazon fulfillment center and a Target transportation hub already being built on site. This has created many jobs, but also raised the ire of those who hope to preserve the historic nature of the site.
The Joe Dumars Fieldhouse, a historic building, has already been knocked down to make way for Target’s vehicle maintenance center, as well as other buildings before it. Local historians are worried more will have to be displaced, even creating a Facebook page to raise awareness and encourage citizens to ask questions leading up to the hearing that will decide whether to allow the land-use for GM’s project.
Final thoughts
While there are those who doubt the value of hydrogen as a fuel source, as well as those who worry about preserving the legacy of this historic place, it is hard to imagine a better memorial for the old fairgrounds — a strip of land which served Detroit proud between 1849 and 2009. A manufacturing hub for clean energy technology could change the way we drive forever. Automotive is the heart of Detroit, and instead of gasoline pumping through its veins, perhaps someday it might be clean, fresh water.