The experts at Honda believe that hydrogen fuel cells have a great future in the industry and they are announcing an expansion in business with this new technology. The idea is to bring CR-V-based electric vehicles that are powered by fuel cells into Japan and North America by 2024.
The company has decided to produce this fuel cell-based vehicle in partnership with General Motors. Honda experts state that this technology has almost one-third of the cost while offering double durability in comparison to the 2019 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. Recent reports reveal that CR-V-based fuel cells will ensure enhanced performance with their plug-in electric functionality. It clearly means that owners would be able to charge their vehicles at home and this solution further mitigates the concerns regarding limited refueling infrastructure.
Honda is also developing fuel cell tech. It is expected that by the end of 2030, Honda may have a fuel cell with double durability and half cost in comparison to the system co-developed with General Motors. Moreover, per unit price may be even comparable to the diesel engine. The company is also planning to work on commercial vehicles with fuel cell-powered capabilities. Honda in Japan is already working with heavy-duty trucks in collaboration with Isuzu and they are expecting to have on-road demonstrations positively by the beginning of 2024. The company has already started testing similar kinds of vehicles with China’s Dongfeng.
The newly designed CR-V vehicles will have two H2 tanks and they will be stored in the rear portion of the SUV. These powerful vehicles will also have an intelligent power unit below the seat along with a fuel cell system and drive unit provided as a single unit on the vehicle. Although the vehicle will have a battery, it may not be able to offer the desired level of power to CR-V due to its very small size. Automakers state that the vehicle will have an additional function for power export.
The company has not yet disclosed the fact that whether or not it will make the new fuel cell-powered hydrogen car available for sale. If we check the history, Clarity Fuel Cell was available only within California. A company has revealed that production of H2 CR-V may start in 2024 from the performance Manufacturing Centre located in Ohio. It was also noted that vehicles designed at this facility will be exported to Japan.
In the future, Honda is planning to introduce fuel cells in the construction sector as well by applying them to wheel loaders and excavators. Honda wishes to take fuel cell-based systems to space as well and for that, they have partnered with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The main goal of their project is to use solar energy for water electrolyzation so that hydrogen and oxygen can be produced. Then fuel cells could further use this hydrogen and oxygen to generate desired electricity. The company calls it a circulative renewable energy system. The main aim of Honda is to manage corporate activities and product designs with enhanced carbon neutrality by 2050 so that company can have no environmental impact.
Citations
https://www.motor1.com/news/650482/next-gen-honda-hydrogen-model-launching-in-2024/
https://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/hydrogen-car-honda-crv/8557280/