Honda Still Believes in Hydrogen Cars

The Japanese manufacturer Honda is betting on fuel cells and plans to launch a hydrogen car in 2024.

While the race for electric vehicles is in full swing, others still see hydrogen as a way to diversify their lineup. Beyond Hyundai, Toyota, and BMW, Honda is investing in fuel cell technology and reveals a plan for the next 15 years.

A Hydrogen Honda CR-V in 2024

For its next hydrogen vehicle, goodbye sedans like the previous Clarity generation. An SUV will have the honor of featuring this energy solution, which, as a reminder, generates electricity onboard and only emits water. However, there will be no special model like the Toyota Mirai or Hyundai Nexo. The brand is copying the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, since the Honda CR-V will serve as the base for the hydrogen version. The fuel cell used is under development with General Motors. Honda and GM are already collaborating on electric vehicles in North America.

However, the Honda CR-V hydrogen car will not be available in Europe, similar to its hybrid counterpart. North America and Japan will have exclusivity on this vehicle, which will start in 2024. The cost of the fuel cell is estimated to be three times lower than that of the Clarity, a vehicle available for around $60,000. Production will take place in the United States, at the Marysville plant (Ohio).

Thousands of Fuel Cells for Heavy Duty Trucks

Production volumes will be very low, as the manufacturer estimates an annual production of 2,000 fuel cells by 2025. However, Honda aims to produce 60,000 hydrogen fuel cells by 2030, supported by hydrogen trucks in partnership with Isuzu and Chinese company Dongfeng, along with other activities like storage and construction machinery.

In the long term, Honda envisions worldwide success for hydrogen fuel cells, which could be produced in several hundred units annually between 2035 and 2040.

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