In a detailed briefing released yesterday, the carmarker says its next-generation fuel cell system being co-developed with General Motors (GM) will aim to more than double the durability and reduce the cost to one-third. Up to a ‘few 100,000 units’ per year are being targeted by the second half of the 2030s.
In 2024, in North America and Japan, Honda will launch a FCEV model equipped with the next-generation fuel cell system jointly developed with GM.
In Japan, Honda is planning to start demonstration testing on public roads of a prototype fuel cell-powered heavy-duty truck being researched jointly with Isuzu Motors, before the end of the upcoming fiscal year 2024 (ending March 31, 2024).
Honda has also been supporting the expansion of hydrogen station networks in Japan by participating in the Japan Hydrogen Station Network Joint Company (Japan H2 Mobility/JHyM) and in North America by supporting hydrogen station businesses such as Shell and FirstElement Fuel.
In Hubei Province, China, last month, Honda began demonstration test driving of commercial trucks equipped with the next-generation fuel cell system in collaboration with Dongfeng Motor Group Co.
Honda will expand the applications of its fuel cell system, not only to Honda FCEVs but also to various internal and external applications, thereby serving to stimulate demand for hydrogen and facilitating the carbon neutrality of society through the use of hydrogen.
Costs can be cut through various measures including the adoption of innovative materials for electrodes, advancement of a cell sealing structure, simplification of the supporting equipment and the improvement of productivity.
Aiming for zero environmental impact of not only its products but the entire product lifecycle including its corporate activities, Honda is focusing on three-pillars; carbon neutrality, clean energy and resource circulation, and positions hydrogen as one of the high-potential energy carriers, along with electricity.
The hydrogen circulation cycle, which starts with renewable energy, consists of three phases; generate, store/transport and use. Green hydrogen is less susceptible to fluctuations in power generation due to seasonality and weather conditions, and it can be transported to where it is needed, either by land, sea or pipeline.
In recent years, the power requirements of data centres have been growing rapidly due to the expansion of cloud computing and big data utilization, and the need for backup power sources has been increasing from the perspective of business continuity planning (BCP). To accommodate such needs, Honda will propose the application of its fuel cell systems in the area of power generation, starting from the application as a clean and quiet backup power source.
As the first step, a stationary fuel cell power station with an approximate capacity of 500kW, which reuses fuel cell systems from Honda Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles, was installed on the corporate campus of American Honda Motor Co. in California.
Honda will offer not only development support to adapt its fuel cell system to the customers’ products but also operational support such as after-sales maintenance and a stable supply of hydrogen, thereby making a one-stop contribution to the customers’ efforts toward carbon neutrality.
Construction, stationary hydrogen and space
In the construction sphere, Honda will take initiative to apply its fuel cell system first to excavators and wheel loaders, which account for a large segment of the construction machinery market, contributing to carbon neutrality for construction machinery.
With hydrogen supply for construction machinery considered difficult to handle with conventional stationary hydrogen stations alone, Honda will work with construction industry associations and related parties to work toward resolving the challenge.
Honda is also setting its hydrogen sights further, conducting advanced research and development of hydrogen technologies for use in outer space. In addition to water and food, people need oxygen, as well as hydrogen for fuel and electricity for various activities supporting life in space.
“One of the solutions to this challenge is to create a circulative renewable energy system, which combines a high differential pressure water electrolysis system that produces oxygen and hydrogen using solar energy to electrolyse water, and a fuel cell system that generates electricity and water from oxygen and hydrogen,” it states.
To create such a system, Honda conducted joint research and development with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Last year it signed a research and development contract with JAXA regarding the circulative renewable energy system, that is designed to supply electricity to maintain the functionality of the living space and various systems of lunar rovers.
Based on this contract, Honda will be commissioned by JAXA to first conduct concept studies, then to develop a breadboard mode, an early-stage prototype, by the end of the 2024 fiscal year.