Hydrogen Fuel Cells to Power a Range of Applications, Including Honda CR-V, Heavy-Duty Trucks, and Industrial Equipment
GM and Honda have started production of hydrogen fuel cells that will power commercial trucks, heavy equipment, generators, and to a lesser extent, passenger vehicles. The fuel-cell modules being built by the joint venture in a Brownstown, Michigan, plant will be used in a hydrogen-powered Honda CR-V that will debut in March 2024 and eventually be available for sale in California in limited quantities.
While hydrogen-powered vehicles may not yet dominate the passenger market, they are poised to become a key player in industries that require long-distance transportation and heavy-duty work, such as trucking, construction, and power generation. Fuel cells offer a distinct advantage over battery-electric vehicles, with longer ranges and faster refueling times, making them a viable option for industries where downtime is costly. Proponents of hydrogen fuel cells envision a decentralized network of filling stations to support widespread adoption, potentially replacing diesel engines as the fuel of choice for many industries.
GM and Honda’s joint venture, Fuel Cell Systems Manufacturing LLC, has launched its inaugural product: a hydrogen fuel-cell module, measuring roughly the size of a four-cylinder engine, that produces 77 kilowatts (103 horsepower). This module can be scaled up by combining multiple units to meet the demands of heavy-duty applications such as semi-trucks or generators. Notably, the companies claim that this new module is one-third the cost of the previous generation system used in the 2019 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell.
Fuel Cell Systems Manufacturing LLC (FCSM) produces fuel cells that are sold to Honda or GM’s Hydrotec division, which then integrates them into their respective products or sells them to other companies. Honda plans to purchase 2,000 of these new fuel cells in 2025, with approximately 25% of them destined for the CR-V model produced at its Ohio-based Performance Manufacturing Center. Additionally, Honda is exploring business opportunities in commercial vehicles, construction equipment, and stationary power stations. The company is also jointly developing a Class 8 semi-truck with Isuzu, which is expected to enter production in Japan in 2027. While it’s unclear if the semi-truck will utilize FCSM fuel cells, it’s likely to be a significant commercial opportunity for the company.
GM is taking a distinct approach, focusing on selling fuel cells, branded as Power Cubes, to power heavy equipment and generators through its Hydrotec division. This initiative could lead to collaborations with companies like Autocar, which might develop fuel-cell-powered garbage trucks, dump trucks, and other heavy-duty vehicles. Other potential partners include Komatsu, which is considering replacing a diesel generator with fuel cells in its electric mining truck, and Liebherr-Aerospace, which is developing fuel cells for airplanes. Additionally, Hydrotec demonstrated its hydrogen-powered Mobile Power Generators, equipped with 60-kW DC fast-chargers, by charging EVs at MotorTrend’s SUV of the Year in 2022.
The FCSM joint venture has invested $85 million in a 70,000-square-foot facility with a highly automated production line. This manufacturing operation was established in 2017, building on a decade-long partnership between Honda and GM, which dates back to 2013. The two companies have collectively amassed nearly a century of experience developing fuel-cell technology. GM’s 1966 Electrovan was the world’s first hydrogen-powered vehicle, and Honda has been working on fuel cells for approximately 40 years.
