Isuzu, Honda begin testing fuel cell-powered heavy-duty truck

Isuzu Motors Limited and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. began demonstration testing on public roads in Japan of the Giga Fuel Cell, a fuel cell (FC)-powered heavy-duty truck currently being co-developed by the two companies.

Through this demonstration testing, scheduled to run through September 2024, the two companies will continue making progress in collecting data, amassing knowledge and identifying technical issues in preparation for a 2027 market introduction. The prototype model being used for this demonstration testing is the same type as the one exhibited at the Isuzu Group booth at the Japan Mobility Show 2023.

Purpose: With the cooperation of Isuzu Logistics Co., Ltd. and Honda Logistics Inc., the logistics companies of Isuzu Group and Honda Group, respectively, demonstration testing of the giga fuel cell will be conducted on public roads in Japan to verify the potential of the utilisation of hydrogen fuel and the practicality of FC trucks.

Background: Isuzu and Honda believe that FC technology, utilising hydrogen as fuel resulting in no CO2 emissions, will be effective to achieve carbon neutrality of heavy-duty trucks which are required to achieve high-efficiency transportation (with the capability for long-distance driving, large load capacity, quick refueling). Since the signing of an agreement in January 2020 to conduct joint research on FC-powered heavy-duty trucks, the two companies have been working on the verification of the compatibility of the FC system and heavy-duty trucks and the establishment of a foundation for basic technologies such as vehicle control technologies. The two companies are planning to introduce the production model to market in 2027 by fully leveraging the technology, experience and knowledge gained through the joint research.