Honda to commence manufacturing a novel hydrogen fuel cell system jointly engineered with General Motors

Honda is set to revolutionise the hydrogen fuel cell market with the production of a new system, co-developed with General Motors, commencing on February 1, 2023, in Tokyo.

The new "next-generation" system, announced by Honda senior managing executive director Shinji Aoyama during a company event in Tokyo, aims to more than double the durability compared to Honda's older fuel cell system. Additionally, it aims to bring costs down by two-thirds.

Tetsuya Hasebe, the general manager of Honda's hydrogen business development division, will lead the charge in boosting sales of the new system. Honda aims to sell 60,000 units per year by 2030, with an initial target of around 2,000 units in the middle of this decade.

The new system will not be limited to fuel cell electric vehicles. Honda plans to use it for commercial vehicles, stationary power stations, and construction machinery as well. There may be a divergence in trucks, with some using batteries and others running on fuel cells.

The countries likely to adopt this new technology include the United States, Japan, and key markets in North America, Asia, and Europe where Honda and General Motors have commercial vehicle operations and hydrogen infrastructure development.

The production of this new hydrogen fuel cell system is part of Honda's broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a sustainable society. The system's potential to power various applications, from vehicles to stationary power stations, makes it a versatile solution for a cleaner future.