Honda, one of the largest engine suppliers in the world, has showcased a prototype of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack Module at the European Hydrogen Week 2023. Honda has been seriously working on the potential of hydrogen energy for the last 35 years. This prototype demonstrates Honda’s commitment to fuel cell applications as part of its global hydrogen strategy, following the addition of a new green hydrogen production facility at its R&D center in Germany. This next-generation module will open up new market and sector opportunities for the brand – such as application within heavy-duty commercial vehicles, heavy stationery machines.
A fuel cell generates energy from the chemical reaction of oxygen and hydrogen which is stored in a pressurized tank. The primary byproduct is water which makes fuel cells cleaner. The main advantages of using Fuel Cell are Refuelling is fast, High Efficiency as compared to ICs, and Hydrogen can be domestically produced. Honda will provide fuel cells for the domain of transportation (passenger and commercial vehicles), Industry sector such as stationary power source, construction machinery.
Honda is currently working with a number of companies, who are developing products in the outlined application areas, to aide with the packaging phase and integration of the fuel cell system in development programs. This is in anticipation of commercial sales of the fuel cell system commencing by the mid-2020’s.
Honda has co-developed a hydrogen fuel cell system with GM and production to soon start. Also Honda is testing the application of Fuel Cell in commercial trucks with Isuzu Motors in Japan and Dongfeng Motor in China. Honda is also planning to begin sales of the all-new CR-V FCEV model in North American and Japan in 2024. Honda is also planning to test Fuel Cell based stationary power station in the U.S.
“After over 30 years at the forefront of hydrogen fuel cell development, we believe demand for the technology will soon reach the critical mass required for full commercial deployment,” Ingo Nyhues, Deputy General Manager, Europe Business Planning & Development, Honda Motor Europe, said recently.
Read More: An Introduction to Hydrogen: What You Need to Know