Honda’s Next-Gen Hydrogen Fuel Cell System Revealed

Honda has unveiled its next-gen hydrogen fuel cell system

Honda has a pretty big plan on the hydrogen front, as the Japanese marque reveals its next-gen hydrogen fuel cell system. Revealed at the Brussels Expo as part of the European Hydrogen Week showcase, this new system will replace the marque’s current Clarity Fuel Cell setup, which was used on the Honda Clarity hydrogen prototype.

Featuring a shiny black and silver plastic finish, the new fuel cell unit looks somewhat similar to a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE), though you obviously can’t see any combustion cylinders here. Unfortunately, Honda refrained from sharing more details about this new fuel cell setup, so we’re still in the dark on the exact figures and improvements this system boasts over its predecessor.

Second-gen Honda Clarity FCV (left), using the marque's previous fuel cell powertrain setup (right)

For reference, the Clarity Fuel Cell system, which was discontinued last year, features a front-mounted (FWD) single electric motor setup rated at 103 kW (138 HP), with its compressed hydrogen tanks capable of supplying an estimated driving range of up to 580 KM.

The current sixth-gen Honda CR-V (left) will get a hydrogen fuel cell-powered variant in both Japan and North American markets, with its FCEV setup to be produced at Honda USA's PMC in Ohio (right)

More importantly, this next-gen hydrogen fuel cell setup will see its first automotive application in the upcoming Honda CR-V Fuel Cell. Scheduled to arrive in both the Japanese and North American markets as early as 2024, the FCEV-powered CR-V SUV is set to be manufactured at Honda USA’s Performance Manufacturing Centre (PMC) in Ohio, which was previously involved in the assembly of the marque’s mid-engined hybrid supercar, the NSX.

Aside from passenger cars, this new hydrogen fuel cell stack will also be used in other applications, including commercial trucks and construction machinery

Beyond personal vehicles, this new fuel cell system will also be utilised in several commercial-based applications, including a heavy-duty commercial truck prototype that Honda co-developed with renowned Japanese truck manufacturer Isuzu. With its close-production prototype set to be revealed next year, this fuel cell-powered commercial truck is slated to go into production later in 2027. Plus, Honda is also looking to use this new fuel cell system for other auxiliary purposes, like backup power generators, as well as to power construction machinery like excavators.

This new fuel cell system reveals that Honda is pretty serious about the whole hydrogen thing, with the Japanese marque standing out as one of the few automotive groups that are currently investing in hydrogen technology, with other notable ones being Toyota and BMW.

Ultimately, Honda’s serious push for hydrogen technology is in-line with the firm’s ultimate goal of selling only electric and fuel cell-powered vehicles by the year 2024. Similar to Toyota, Honda also believes in a multi-pathway plan towards decarbonisation, with both Japanese marques investing in a variety of carbon-free technologies instead of focusing solely on battery-powered EVs like many other Western automakers.