Electric vehicles get a lot of press, but some automakers are working on other alternative fuel technologies, including a joint hydrogen fuel cell project by General Motors and Honda that has started commercial production.
The plant, established in 2017 by the 50-50 venture between the Detroit-based GM and the Japanese brand, is producing fuel cells in Brownstown, Mich., south of the Motor City.
GM said in a press release about what it calls a “pivotal moment in the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell systems” that the companies will use the product of the venture on various products. It called the production launch “a historic day for the industry” as the venture starts “volume production of fuel cells for transportation and beyond.”
“We brought a mass production mindset with attention to detail and a focus on high quality, and now we are ready to meet the needs of the customers for the future applications of fuel cell technology and the beginning of the hydrogen era,” said the venture’s vice president, Tetsuo Suzuki.
The companies say they started developing the fuel cell system behind the production in 2013 and that it doubles durability over the fuel cell in the 2019 Honda Clarity. Honda said fuel cell vehicles are one of four areas it plans to use the technology in its overall business and that it will launch the CR-V FCEV this year as the "only fuel cell electric passenger vehicle made in America."
The automakers say they believe hydrogen will become a bigger player in the mix of zero-emissions options for energy and mobility applications.
