Honda Launching CR-V-Primarily based Hydrogen Gasoline Cell Plug-In EV In 2024

It looks like battery electrical automobiles (BEV) are poised to overhaul the auto trade, however Honda is not giving up but on hydrogen gas cell EVs (FCEV). The automaker has introduced that it’s going to launch a brand new FCEV in 2024 based mostly on the all-new CR-V crossover.

Honda had little or no to share concerning the new mannequin, though it did reveal that it will construct it at its Efficiency Manufacturing Heart in Ohio. The ability opened in 2016, making the Acura NSX supercar, Acura PMC Version fashions, and Honda Efficiency Growth race vehicles. It’s designed to supply low-volume speciality fashions, like the brand new FCEV.

The brand new FCEV will assist the automaker obtain its objective of BEVs and FCEVs representing 100% of its international auto gross sales by 2040. Honda is accelerating its plan to supply battery EVs within the US, stated Gary Robinson, vp of auto planning and technique for Honda.

“We additionally will start low quantity manufacturing of gas cell electrical automobiles there to additional discover their nice potential as a part of a sustainable transportation future,” he added.

Honda launched its first commercially accessible gas cell automobile in 2002. The FCX would ultimately give solution to the Readability in 2017, however Honda would discontinue producing the mannequin in 2021.

Honda is not the one automaker to proceed tinkering with hydrogen. In October, BMW chairman Oliver Zipse stated that “hydrogen would be the hippest factor to drive.” The German automaker plans to launch a “viable hydrogen automobile” this decade.

Toyota and Alpine are exploring hydrogen’s potential capacity to maintain inside combustion engines alive, with the Japanese model putting in a hydrogen combustion engine inside a Corolla. It affords zero-emission driving with an exhaust observe, and there are rumors that the redesigned Prius may obtain such a powertrain.

Honda did not say when in 2024 that manufacturing would start, however we are going to get extra particulars nearer to the mannequin’s launch. It is unclear if the CR-V-based automobile will retain the mannequin’s styling or obtain a singular design. Nonetheless, the low-volume manufacturing probably means there can be few main adjustments to the CR-V. Hydrogen faces the identical hurdles as EVs – each lack the sturdy infrastructure to refuel and recharge.