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GM, Honda's future fuel cell tech

NEW YORK – General Motors and Honda announced a long-term agreement to co-develop next-generation fuel cells and hydrogen storage technologies for 2020.

GM and Honda plan to further advance refuelling infrastructure, which is critical for the long-term viability and consumer acceptance of fuel cell vehicles.

According to the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index, GM and Honda rank first and second respectively, in total fuel cell patents filed between 2002 and 2012, with more than 1200 between the automakers.

REDUCE PETROL DEPENDENCY

GM chairman and CEO, Dan Akerson, said: “This collaboration builds upon Honda and GM’s strengths as leaders in hydrogen fuel cell technology.

“We are convinced this is the best way to develop this important technology, which has the potential to help reduce the dependence on petroleum and establish sustainable mobility.”

Honda president and CEO,  Takanobu Ito, said: “Among all zero CO2 emission technologies, fuel cell electric vehicles have a definitive advantage with range and refuelling time that is as good as conventional cars.

“Honda and GM are eager to accelerate the market penetration of this ultimate clean mobility technology and I am excited to form this collaboration to fuse our leading fuel cell technologies and create an advanced system that will be both more capable and more affordable.”

FUTURE FUEL TECHNOLOGY

GM’s Project Driveway program, launched in 2007, has accumulated nearly 5 million kilometeres of "real-world" driving in a fleet of 119 hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Honda began leasing its FCX in 2002 and has deployed 85 units in the US and Japan, including its successor, the FCX Clarity, which was named the 2009 World Green Car.

Fuel cell technology addresses many of the major challenges facing vehicles – petroleum dependency, emissions, efficiency, range and refuelling times.

Fuel cell vehicles can operate on renewable hydrogen made from sources like wind and biomass. The only emissions from fuel cell vehicles is water vapour.

Additionally, fuel cell vehicles can have up to 643km driving range, can be refuelled in three minutes, and the propulsion technology can be used on small, medium, and large vehicles. 

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