Honda has announced the debut of its Class 8 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck Concept at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, which will be held on May 20, 2024. This truck concept represents the beginning of a new demonstration project aimed at producing fuel cell-powered products for the North American market. Honda is actively seeking business collaborations to expand its hydrogen business and achieve its goal of zero environmental impact, including carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050.
The Honda Class 8 truck concept is equipped with three new Honda fuel cell (FC) systems, which are currently in mass production at Fuel Cell System Manufacturing LLC (FCSM), a joint venture facility with General Motors (GM) in Brownstown, Michigan. This FC system, co-developed by Honda and GM over the past decade, offers improved performance, doubles durability, and reduces costs by one-third compared to the previous generation system. Honda has identified four key areas for the initial application of its new fuel cell system: fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), commercial fuel cell vehicles, stationary power stations, and construction machinery.
At the ACT Expo, Honda will also feature other zero-emission products, including the Autonomous Work Vehicle prototype and the all-new 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV. Ryan Harty, Assistant Vice President of Sustainability & Business Development at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., will deliver the keynote presentation at the Ultra Clean Heavy-Vehicle Summit on May 22, where he will provide further details on Honda’s hydrogen plans.
The specifications for the Class 8 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck Concept include a total length of 8000 mm, width of 2400 mm, and height of 4000 mm, with a gross combination weight (GCW) of 37273 kg. The truck’s estimated top speed is 70 mph, and it has an estimated driving range of 400 miles at GCW. The fuel cell system output is 240 kW, and the truck is equipped with a high-pressure 700-bar hydrogen tank that can hold 82 kg of hydrogen, as well as a 120 kWh high voltage battery.
Honda’s commitment to environmental sustainability includes achieving carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities, utilizing 100% renewable energy, and promoting resource circulation by reprocessing products into raw materials for new products. Honda aims to make battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles represent 100% of its auto sales in the U.S. and globally by 2040. Additionally, Honda is working to offset CO2 emissions from its North American manufacturing operations through long-term virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) for renewable wind and solar power, covering more than 60% of the electricity used by Honda in North America.
