Next-gen Honda hydrogen fuel cell to make North American debut at ACT Expo
Honda’s newest fuel cell module is making its first appearance in North America next week, as the company brings its next-generation hydrogen tech to the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim, California.
Revealed earlier this year in Japan, the new module is due to enter production in 2027, with Honda saying it delivers major gains over its current fuel cell system.
These include double durability, tripling the volumetric power density, and halving the production cost – all while fitting into a more compact package.
Smaller box, bigger numbers
The figures point to a clear focus on commercial use as Honda lists a peak output of 150kW, with the whole module weighing 250kg and occupying just 300 litres of space.
That gives it a power density of 0.5kW per litre (0.60 kW/kg) – significantly higher than the system it replaces. Maximum efficiency is quoted at 59.8%, and the unit is designed to operate from a chilly -30°C to a torrid +60°C.
These improvements build on the current fuel cell system developed with General Motors, which already halved cost and doubled durability versus the unit as used in the 2019 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell.
This new stack moves the needle further and is designed from the outset to be flexible enough for cars, trucks, power stations and even heavy machinery.
Hydrogen truck returns to Anaheim
Also returning to ACT Expo is Honda’s Class 8 hydrogen truck concept, which has been undergoing real-world testing on Californian roads.
The operational prototype runs on three of Honda’s current fuel cell modules and stores 82kg of hydrogen at 700 bar, offering over 500 miles of range at full gross weight.
Honda says total output sits at 234kW, and the system architecture is shared with Honda’s plug-in CR-V e:FCEV – the first hydrogen-powered production vehicle in the US to offer plug-in charging.
The pairing highlights Honda’s platform approach: one fuel cell system, scaled to fit.
Four markets, one module
Honda has identified four key application areas for its fuel cell technology: fuel cell vehicles, commercial trucks, stationary power generators, and construction machinery. The idea is to scale one system across all of them, with only minimal modification.
A 1/10 scale model of Honda’s upcoming fuel cell power generator will also be shown at the expo, which is aimed at factories and data centres.
The system will use multiple fuel cell modules to deliver anything from 250kW to over 1MW of clean backup power. Production is planned for 2026.
Seeking partners
Honda says it’s now open to collaboration. “Honda hydrogen is open for business in North America,” said David Perzynski, assistant manager of Hydrogen Solutions Development at American Honda.
“The fuel cell technology, the expertise and the supply chain are in place to power a variety of zero-emissions products, including commercial trucking and stationary power generation.”
Perzynski will speak at ACT Expo on April 29 during the “Hydrogen Power for Fleets” presentation block, where Honda is expected to outline how it plans to scale its fuel cell tech into real-world applications – and find partners to help deliver it.
