General Motors-Honda Joint Venture Begins Production Of Hydrogen Fuel Cells (Image: Honda)
Fuel Cell System Manufacturing LLC (FCSM), a joint venture company of General Motors and Honda, has begun production of hydrogen fuel cells. This is considered to be a significant step toward offering alternative zero-emission solutions.
FCSM, the first large-scale manufacturing joint venture to build fuel cells, was established in Michigan, United States in January 2017. Notably, the 70,000-square-foot facility is based on a joint investment of $85 million. Honda mentioned in its statement that the hydrogen power solutions built at the facility will be used by both companies in various “product applications and business ventures.” Honda, the renowned Japanese automaker, also claimed that the latest co-developed fuel cell system increases performance and doubles durability while reducing manufacturing costs.
The Verge reported that General Motors and Honda have also collaborated on battery electric vehicles, including the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX. Both automakers started work in 2013 on the co-development of the next-generation fuel cell system. Both companies are aiming to reduce the development and manufacturing costs by leveraging economies of scale, advancing cell design, and reducing the use of costly precious metals. According to Honda, the new fuel cell systems will be “one-third less expensive to make” when compared to the cost of the fuel cell system in the 2019 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell.
“This is a historic day for the industry as GM and Honda are the first full fuel cell system manufacturing joint venture to begin volume production of fuel cells for transportation and beyond,” said Suheb Haq, FCSM president, in the statement.
Hydrogen fuel cells produce no harmful emissions, and they use compressed hydrogen as their fuel. According to the United States Department of Energy, hydrogen-powered fuel cells are not only pollution-free but can also have more than two times the efficiency of traditional combustion technologies.
