Honda expands US hydrogen R&D footprint in Ohio
Honda is continuing to build out its hydrogen strategy with the announcement that its US-based research institute, HRI-US, will expand operations at the company’s R&D campus in Ohio. The move strengthens Honda’s position in the US as it deepens work on advanced materials, energy systems, and hydrogen fuel cell technology.
The new facility will support a wider portfolio of innovation projects, but for those tracking the pace of hydrogen development, it’s another clear signal that Honda is serious about scaling fuel cell systems for both automotive and non-automotive applications.
Building on next-gen fuel cell momentum
Back in February, Honda revealed its next-generation fuel cell system – developed with General Motors – featuring twice the durability and half the cost of its previous stack. The unit is designed to be modular and scalable, targeting not just passenger vehicles but also commercial trucks and stationary power.
That system has since made its way into the company’s latest hydrogen model, the CR-V e:FCEV, which launched earlier this year. The car combines a plug-in battery with a hydrogen fuel cell, offering a flexible powertrain that plays to the strengths of both technologies. Honda’s decision to enter a modified version of the CR-V into June’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb also drew industry attention.
Strategic R&D positioning
With this Ohio expansion, Honda is clearly moving to align R&D capabilities more closely with its US production base and hydrogen supply chain strategy. The company says the HRI-US team will work alongside existing manufacturing, engineering, and vehicle development groups, supporting cross-functional work in areas like:
- Fuel cell systems and hydrogen integration
- Next-gen materials and power electronics
- AI and energy management across vehicle platforms
While many OEMs are investing in hydrogen on the periphery, Honda continues to integrate fuel cell development into its core North American operations.
What it means
Honda’s footprint in the hydrogen sector now spans the full value chain: from fuel cell stack development, to vehicle integration, to real-world testing in motorsport and infrastructure pilots. By anchoring that work in Ohio – a state already positioning itself as a hydrogen hub – the company gains proximity to key partners, suppliers, and emerging policy frameworks tied to the US hydrogen economy.
For the industry, it’s another data point that hydrogen isn’t just surviving, it’s growing, selectively and strategically, within long-term decarbonisation plans. Honda’s approach is measured, but deliberate. And this latest R&D move suggests they’re not just building cars. They’re building capability.
