Isuzu (a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer) and Honda has signed a partnership agreement based on the decision to have Honda develop and supply the fuel cell system for the fuel cell-powered heavy-duty truck Isuzu is planning to introduce to market in 2027. Isuzu and Honda believe that fuel cell technology, utilizing hydrogen as fuel resulting in no CO2 emissions, will be effective to achieve carbon neutrality of heavy-duty trucks which are required to address large load capacity, long-time use, long-distance driving and the need for quick refuelling.
Since the signing of an agreement in January 2020, to conduct joint research on heavy-duty trucks utilizing fuel cells (FC) as the powertrain, Isuzu and Honda have been working toward the establishment of a foundation for basic technologies such as ensuring the compatibility of fuel cells and heavy-duty trucks and the development of vehicle control technologies. The two companies are currently planning to start demonstration testing of a prototype truck on public roads before the end of the current fiscal year (ending March 31, 2024). Moving forward, the two companies will take advantage of the respective strengths of each company and accelerate the development of clean, low-noise, low-vibration fuel cell- powered heavy-duty trucks.
