Honda and Dongfeng partner on hydrogen commercial vehicles in China
Honda Motor Co. has announced a new partnership with Dongfeng Motor Corporation to develop and produce hydrogen fuel-cell systems for commercial vehicles in China. The move follows the release of the country’s Technology Roadmap 3.0 for Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicles, which targets more than four million hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2040.
The partnership is Honda’s first hydrogen collaboration in China’s commercial sector. It supports national plans to expand hydrogen use across freight, logistics, and industrial transport.
Fuel-cell systems for heavy-duty transport
Honda and Dongfeng will focus on medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The models will use Honda’s latest fuel-cell system, co-developed with General Motors. The new stack provides higher output, better cold-weather performance, and lower production costs.
Honda’s design also uses fewer precious metals, reducing costs by around two-thirds compared with earlier systems. Honda will supply the fuel-cell units, while Dongfeng will manage vehicle integration and local production.
Early projects will centre on pilot fleets before wider rollout. Mass production will follow once refuelling stations and hydrogen supply networks expand.
Supporting China’s hydrogen roadmap
China’s new roadmap places hydrogen at the core of its decarbonisation strategy. It highlights fuel cells as ideal for buses, trucks, and long-haul vehicles, where range and refuelling speed are critical.
The government plans to scale up vehicle production and build hundreds of refuelling stations over the next decade. Honda and Dongfeng’s partnership directly supports these aims. By combining Dongfeng’s truck expertise with Honda’s fuel-cell technology, both companies hope to make hydrogen-powered transport commercially viable.
Outlook
The Honda–Dongfeng collaboration strengthens both companies’ positions in China’s growing hydrogen market. As infrastructure expands and stack costs continue to fall, the partnership is expected to play a key role in bringing fuel-cell transport into everyday use.
