Isuzu Motors Limited (Isuzu) and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (Honda) announced they have signed a partnership agreement based on the decision to have Honda develop and supply the fuel cell system for the fuel cell-powered heavy-duty truck Isuzu is planning to introduce to market in 2027. Isuzu and Honda believe that fuel cell technology, using hydrogen as fuel resulting in no carbon dioxide emissions, will be effective to achieve carbon neutrality of heavy-duty trucks which are required to address large load capacity, long-time use, long-distance driving, and the need for quick refueling.
Since the signing of an agreement in January 2020 to conduct joint research on heavy-duty trucks using fuel cells as the powertrain, the two companies have been working toward the establishment of a foundation for basic technologies such as ensuring the compatibility of fuel cells and heavy-duty trucks and the development of vehicle control technologies. The two companies are currently planning to start demonstration testing of a prototype truck on public roads before the end of the current fiscal year, ending March 31, 2024.
Moving forward, Isuzu and Honda will take advantage of the respective strengths of each company and accelerate the development of clean, low-noise, low-vibration, fuel cell-powered heavy-duty trucks. This will contribute to the shift toward the use of clean energy by the entire industry, including logistics businesses, with more proactive use of hydrogen energy.
