Honda believes there is a future in hydrogen fuel cells, and is announcing a significant expansion in the business. This will include the launch of a fuel cell electric vehicle based on the CR-V in 2024 in North America and Japan.
The fuel cell system for this vehicle is from a joint development with General Motors. According to Honda, the technology is one-third the cost and doubles the system durability in the 2019 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell.
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Fuel cell vehicles based on the CR-V will also have plug-in electric functionality. This means that owners will be able to charge it at home, potentially alleviating concerns about the relatively limited hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
The company also continues to develop fuel cell technology. By around 2030, Honda hopes to have a fuel cell with half the cost and twice the durability of the system it is co-developing with GM. The price per unit could be comparable to that of a diesel engine, the automaker claims.
Fuel cell powered commercial vehicles are also coming soon. In Japan, Honda is working on a heavy-duty truck with Isuzu starting road demonstrations in the first quarter of 2024. It is also already testing a similar rig with Dongfeng in China.
Honda intends to introduce fuel cells to the construction industry. It will apply it to excavators and wheel loaders first.
Honda also wants to take fuel cells into space. It works with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to develop the technology. The plan is to use solar energy to electrolyze water and produce oxygen and hydrogen. Fuel cells can generate electricity and water from oxygen and hydrogen. The company refers to this as a “circulative renewable energy system.”
Honda’s ultimate goal is to achieve carbon neutrality for all of its products and corporate activities by 2050. The company wants zero environmental impact.
