Honda to start producing new hydrogen fuel cell system co-developed with GM

TOKYO, Feb 2 (Reuters) – Japan’s Honda Motor Co (7267.T) mentioned it can start producing a new hydrogen fuel cell system collectively developed with General Motors Co (GM.N) this 12 months and step by step step up gross sales this decade, in a bid to develop its hydrogen enterprise.

Honda will goal annual gross sales of round 2,000 items of the new system in the midst of this decade, the corporate mentioned on Thursday, aiming to enhance that to 60,000 items per 12 months in 2030.

The Japanese carmaker is searching for to develop the usage of its new system not just for its personal fuel cell electrical automobiles (FCEVs), but additionally business automobiles similar to heavy vans, as stationary energy stations and in development equipment.

Honda will start manufacturing of the hydrogen fuel cell system by its three way partnership with GM this 12 months, Honda senior managing govt director Shinji Aoyama advised reporters throughout an organization occasion in Tokyo.

With the “next-generation” system, the corporate goals to greater than double sturdiness in contrast with its older fuel cell system and to deliver prices down by two-thirds.

“While business automobiles are in use all around the world, they’re going to doubtless see electrification simply as with passenger vehicles,” mentioned Tetsuya Hasebe, normal supervisor of Honda’s hydrogen enterprise growth division.

That would doubtless lead to a divergence in vans utilizing batteries and people operating on fuel cells, he added.

Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim and Jamie Freed

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