Isuzu chooses Honda to build its next gen hydrogen FCEV trucks
Sanjay · May 16, 2023 09:20 AM
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Isuzu Motors Limited and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. have announced the signing of a partnership agreement that will see the latter developing and supplying hydrogen fuel cell powertrains (FCEV) to Isuzu, for heavy-duty trucks that are set to be introduced in the market by 2027.
Powered by hydrogen, these big rigs will be devoid of carbon emissions, making them a crucial piece of achieving carbon neutrality in the commercial sector. Particularly for trucks of this size – which carry large loads over long distances on the roads for extended periods of time – that also require quick refueling.
Top to bottom: Honda's FCEV system. Honda is also trialling a similar tech in China with JV partner Dongfeng Motor
Testing of a prototype truck on Japanese public roads are planned to take place before 31-March 2024.
The two companies have been in partnership since 2020, researching FCEV viability for trucks. The breadth of the research involves foundational technologies such as ensuring the compatibility of fuel cells in such vehicles, and the development of vehicle control technologies.
The view is that this effort will contribute to the industry-wide transition towards clean energy adoption, particularly in logistics, which weigh equally as important when it comes to decarbonising roads.
At the same time, Isuzu is also part of the Toyota-led Commercial Japanese Partnership Technologies (CJPT) committee, which also seeks to find new ways to greenify the commercial vehicles sector. In it, Isuzu shares the field with technical partner Hino, Suzuki, Daihatsu, and Toyota too to advance research into various carbon-neutral powertrain technologies.
Currently, Isuzu also has battery electric (BEV) trucks doing trial runs in the United States, ahead of its market launch planned for next year.
On Honda's side, this partnership with Isuzu is part of their greater hydrogen strategy, which will see them develop and supply FCEV tech to the commercial and passenger vehicles sector, as well as for industrial applications.
To that end, a hydrogen-fuelled plug-in Honda CR-V (Specs | News) is slated for a 2024 debut in the United States.
With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.
