Honda unveils concept heavy-duty hydrogen truck (without mentioning it was made by another automaker)

Japanese company says it has no plans to build its own trucks, but wants to collaborate with other vehicle manufacturers

Honda's new hydrogen fuel cell truck concept (a retroffited Peterbilt truck).
Honda's new hydrogen fuel cell truck concept (a retroffited Peterbilt truck).Photo: Honda

Honda will today (Monday) debut its new concept heavy-duty hydrogen truck at a convention in Las Vegas — a vehicle that has actually been manufactured by another company and then retrofitted with Honda fuel cells.

The Japanese automaker issued a press release on Friday without mentioning that the Class 8 truck is actually a 579 model built by Texas-based manufacturer Peterbilt (with the Peterbilt badge removed from the front grille).
A spokeswoman for Honda said that the concept truck is not a joint venture between itself and Peterbilt, and that Honda is not planning to build big-rig trucks, but rather it wants other truck manufacturers to use its fuel cells, according to US website Transport Topics.
A silver oval is all that remains of the Peterbilt badge on the front grille.Photo: Honda

The concept truck is powered by three 80kW Honda fuel cells that are now in mass production at its facility in Brownstown, Michigan, which is a joint venture with General Motors.

“Commercial vehicles, including Class 8 trucks, where fuel cells offer the best zero-emission replacement for existing diesel applications, are a key part of Honda’s broad hydrogen business strategy,” said Ryan Harty, assistant vice president, sustainability & business development, at American Honda Motor Co.

“Honda is actively seeking business collaborations and customers to help bring these hydrogen fuel cell solutions to market here in North America.”

Honda says its concept fuel-cell truck has a driving range of an estimated 400 miles (644km) when pulling a 24,355kg load, with an 82kg tank storing hydrogen at 700 bar and a 120kWh high-voltage battery.

The concept vehicle will be on display from today at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

In February, Honda unveiled the world’s first hydrogen plug-in hybrid car, the CR-V e:FCEV, which will be produced in small volumes and be available to lease in California later this year.
(Copyright)
Published 20 May 2024, 07:25Updated 20 May 2024, 12:58
HondaTrucksFuel cellsfuel-cell vehiclesRoad transport