Hydrogen Without GM: Honda Independently Builds New Fuel Cell

Honda has worked and is working with General Motors in various areas. This is particularly evident in the US, where the Honda Prologue, a battery-electric SUV from Honda based on the American General Motors model, is driving around. However, Honda and GM have previously stated that the collaboration in the EV field is much more limited than previously stated, and something similar now seems to be happening in the field of hydrogen technology. Honda is announcing a new fuel cell, which has been developed entirely in-house and therefore without General Motors.

No GM, No Problem

The new piece of technology, which, like any fuel cell, can convert hydrogen into electrical energy to power a car, for example, is the successor to the fuel cell developed with GM that is currently used in the Honda CR-V e:FCEV. It almost feels like a dig at the former hydrogen partner, but Honda claims that the new fuel cell is twice as sustainable as the model developed with the Americans.

In addition, the new type halves production costs and is much more compact and therefore more widely applicable. The new Honda fuel cell delivers 150 kW and is the third generation fuel cell for Honda, after the one that was installed in the Clarity in 2016 and the fuel cell that was developed together with GM. Fuel cells have more applications than in passenger cars, but Honda still believes in passenger cars that run on hydrogen. Toyota does so in principle too, but at the same time admits that it does not want to go that far with this form of drive. In Europe, BMW is the biggest advocate of hydrogen. After a small series of iX5s, a production SUV from BMW on hydrogen will be released in 2028, developed in collaboration with Toyota. Let’s hope that the company does not take inspiration from Honda when it comes to collaborations.

• Read More: Honda Is Working On A More Compact Electric Vehicle For The US Market.