Goal is commercially feasible fuel cell and hydrogen storage in 2020 time frame
General Motors (GM) and Honda announced today a
long-term, definitive master agreement to co-develop next-generation
fuel cell system and hydrogen storage technologies, aiming for the 2020
time frame. The collaboration expects to succeed by sharing expertise,
economies of scale and common sourcing strategies.
GM and Honda plan to work together with stakeholders to further
advance refueling infrastructure, which is critical for the long-term
viability and consumer acceptance of fuel cell vehicles.
GM and Honda are acknowledged leaders in fuel cell technology.
According to the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index, GM and Honda rank No.
1 and No. 2, respectively, in total fuel cell patents filed between
2002 and 2012, with more than 1,200 between them.
“This collaboration builds upon Honda and GM’s strengths as leaders
in hydrogen fuel cell technology,” said Dan Akerson, GM chairman and
CEO. “We are convinced this is the best way to develop this important
technology, which has the potential to help reduce the dependence on
petroleum and establish sustainable mobility.”
Takanobu Ito, president & CEO of Honda Motor Co. Ltd. said: “Among all zero CO2
emission technologies, fuel cell electric vehicles have a definitive
advantage with range and refueling time that is as good as conventional
gasoline cars. Honda and GM are eager to accelerate the market
penetration of this ultimate clean mobility technology, and I am excited
to form this collaboration to fuse our leading fuel cell technologies
and create an advanced system that will be both more capable and more
affordable.”
GM’s Project Driveway program, launched in 2007, has accumulated
nearly 3 million miles of real-world driving in a fleet of 119
hydrogen-powered vehicles, more than any other automaker.
Honda began leasing of the Honda FCX in 2002 and has deployed 85
units in the U.S. and Japan, including its successor, the FCX Clarity,
which was named the 2009 World Green Car. Honda has delivered these
vehicles to the hands of customers in the U.S. and collected valuable
data concerning real-world use of fuel cell electric vehicles.
As already announced, Honda plans to launch the successor of FCX
Clarity in Japan and the United States in 2015, and then in Europe. GM
will announce its fuel cell production plans at a later date.
Fuel cell technology addresses many of the major challenges facing
automobiles today – petroleum dependency, emissions, efficiency, range
and refueling times. Fuel cell vehicles can operate on renewable
hydrogen made from sources like wind and biomass. The only emission from
fuel cell vehicles is water vapor.
Additionally, fuel cell vehicles can have up to 400 miles driving
range, can be refueled in as little as three minutes, and the propulsion
technology can be used on small, medium, and large vehicles.
