Posted on 19 Dec 2024
Japanese carmaker Honda said Wednesday it will build a new plant to produce its next-generation fuel cell systems in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
The facility planned in Moka city will produce 30,000 units annually. It will be the first dedicated plant for the production of fuel cell systems being independently produced by Honda, Kallanish learns.
According to the carmaker, the project will rely on part of the land and buildings of the Powertrain Unit Factory, for which automotive powertrain component production was discontinued in October. The Japanese government will provide up to JPY 14.78 billion in subsidies to the project.
“By leveraging the strength of its independently developed and produced next-generation fuel cell system, Honda will strive to gain a 5% share of the fuel cell-powered truck market by 2030, and also pursue an ambitious target of gaining 30% market share by around 2040,” it says.
The announcement, which comes amid rumours of a merger with Nissan, builds on Honda’s efforts to grow its hydrogen business as one of its core areas. The plan is to focus on four fuel cell applications: fuel cell electric vehicles, commercial vehicles, stationary power stations and construction machinery.
In a separate statement, Honda also unveiled its two-motor hybrid system known as Honda e:HEV, developed to capitalise on the high demand for hybrid electric vehicles. The carmaker estimates it will sell 1.3 million HEVs annually by 2030, reducing the cost of models by 50% in 2027, compared to 2018 levels.
Source:Kallanish
