Honda debuted a hydrogen fuel cell class 8 truck concept at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo on May 20, showcasing the start of a new demonstration project aimed at future production of fuel cell powered products for the North American market. Honda is seeking new business collaborations as the company expands its hydrogen business to achieve its global goal of zero environmental impact, including carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050.
“Commercial vehicles, including Class 8 trucks, where fuel cells offer the best zero-emissions replacement for existing diesel applications, are a key part of Honda’s broad hydrogen business strategy,” said Ryan Harty, assistant vice president of sustainability and business development at American Honda Motor Co. Inc. “Honda is actively seeking business collaborations and customers to help bring these hydrogen fuel cell solutions to market here in North America.”
The operational Honda Class 8 truck concept is powered by three new Honda fuel cell (FC) systems, now in mass production at Fuel Cell System Manufacturing LLC (FCSM), a joint venture production facility with General Motors (GM) in Brownstown, Michigan. The new FC system is key to the Honda hydrogen business strategy. Co-developed by Honda and GM over the last decade, the Honda FC system advances performance and doubles durability while reducing cost by two-thirds compared to the previous generation system.
Honda has identified four core domains for the initial utilization of its new fuel cell system: fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), commercial fuel cell vehicles, stationary power stations, and construction machinery.
Specifications
| Metric | Value |
| Total Length/Width/Height | 315 in./ 94 in./ 157 in. (8000 mm/ 2400 mm/ 4000mm) |
| Gross Combined Weight (GCW) | 82,173 lb. (37,273 kg) with tractor weight target of 28,479 lb. (12,918 kg) and load weight target of 53,694 lb. (24,355 kg) |
| Top Speed (Estimated) | 70 mph (113 kph) |
| Driving Range (Estimated) | 400 miles (644 km) at GCW |
| Fuel Cell System Output | 240kW combined (80 kW x 3 FC systems) |
| Hydrogen Tank | High pressure 10,153 psi (700 bar) hydrogen tank 181 pounds (82 kg) |
| Vehicle Battery | 120kWh High Voltage Battery |
(Data Source: Honda)
