GM, Honda Venture begin commercial production of fuel cell power system By Investing.com

GM, Honda Venture begin commercial production of fuel cell power generation system

Detroit’s General Motors (NYSE:) also announced. Honda (NYSE:) On Thursday, they began shipping fuel cell power systems to customers from a plant near Detroit, marking a new exploration of the potential mass-market success of hydrogen power technology.

Initial production of fuel cell power units will be relatively modest, with Honda executive Jay Joseph stating the company’s goal to deliver 2,000 fuel cell power units per year by the mid-2020s.

At an event held Wednesday, Joseph revealed that Honda plans to integrate fuel cells into a version of its popular CR-V sport utility vehicle that will be unveiled in March. Additionally, fuel cells can be applied to other products, including stationary generators.

Honda is also in the process of developing a hydrogen-fueled Class 8 semi-truck in collaboration with Japanese truck manufacturer Isuzu.

Meanwhile, GM has previously announced its intention to supply fuel cell systems to commercial truck maker Autocar and large mining and construction equipment maker Komatsu.

Chevrolet’s parent company is actively promoting fuel cells under its Hydrotec brand. GM has been involved in fuel cell development for nearly 60 years, but GM CEO Mary Barra revealed the company’s plans to build medium-duty commercial trucks using fuel cell power in 2021.

Fuel cells promise to deliver fuel as powerfully and quickly as large diesel engines, but overcoming the challenges of widespread use is difficult. Despite government support, high costs and a lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure persist.

The GM-Honda venture aims to work with customers with centralized refueling capabilities, as Charlie Freese, GM’s Managing Director of Global Hydrotec, noted.

In afternoon trading Thursday, shares of GM rose 1.21% and Hyundai Motors fell 0.16%.