The automotive industry is witnessing a significant shift towards sustainable mobility, driven by governments’ increasing pressure to reduce emissions. In this context, General Motors and Honda have announced a groundbreaking partnership to co-develop new hydrogen fuel cell technologies for future vehicles. This collaboration aims to make these cutting-edge technologies available to the market by 2020.
Sharing the Burden of Innovation
In recent years, car companies have been forming partnerships to share the costs of developing innovative technologies. GM and Honda are no exception, as they join forces to leverage each other’s strengths in fuel cell development. This partnership is a testament to the industry’s recognition of the importance of collaboration in driving progress.
Leaders in Fuel Cell Development
GM and Honda are widely regarded as leaders in fuel cell development. According to the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index, GM ranks number one, and Honda ranks number two, in total fuel cell patents filed between 2002 and 2012. This impressive record includes over 1200 applications between the two companies.
Advancing Refueling Infrastructures
The two companies will focus on advancing refueling infrastructures, which is considered the main area that still needs development for hydrogen power to become a viable and user-accepted alternative fuel source. This is a crucial aspect of the partnership, as refueling infrastructure is a significant barrier to widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Key Quotes from the Partnership
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“This collaboration builds upon Honda and GM’s strengths as leaders in hydrogen fuel cell technology. 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.”
– Dan Akerson, GM chairman and CEO
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“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.”
– Takanobu Ito, president and CEO of Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Hydrogen fuel cells are seen as a potential alternative fuel source to replace petrol and diesel in the future. They have the potential to become one of the greenest forms of energy, producing zero direct emissions. This makes them an attractive option for governments and consumers looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Honda has already introduced the FCX Clarity, a fully hydrogen-powered vehicle, on a lease basis in the US and Japan. GM has also launched the Project Driveway program, which involved dispatching 119 fuel cell vehicles for data collection purposes. These real-world applications demonstrate the potential of hydrogen fuel cells in reducing emissions and promoting sustainable mobility.
The partnership between GM and Honda marks a significant step towards making hydrogen fuel cell technologies a reality. By working together, they aim to accelerate the market penetration of this technology and make it more affordable. As the automotive industry continues to shift towards sustainable mobility, this collaboration is poised to play a key role in driving progress.
