General Motors and Honda's collaboration has commenced the production of hydrogen fuel cells at a facility located in Michigan. GM and Honda started manufacturing of hydrogen fuel cell systems as part of their joint venture. The partnership works on providing alternative, zero-emission solutions. Another cited solution adding to battery-electric vehicles productions. The production of these fuel cell systems is a result of a 50-50 partnership between the two automakers, operating within a million facility situated in suburban Detroit.

GM, Honda Begins Hydrogen Fuel Cell Production

Many experts in the automotive industry believe that fuel cells can serve as a competitive alternative to diesel fuel, particularly for applications like construction equipment, heavy-duty trucks, generators, and semitrucks. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their vehicles and improve overall mobility solutions, GM and Honda have emphasized the critical role that hydrogen and fuel cell technology play.

Executives from both GM, Honda's joint venture, and Fuel Cell System Manufacturing LLC (the partnership's name) are calling the start of commercial production a historic moment for hydrogen fuel cells. Reports shared details of this latest partnership between GM and Honda.

In 2013, GM and Honda's joint venture initiated this production focused on hydrogen fuel cell systems. The process of making these systems is highly automated and involves complex steps. It also uses expensive materials like platinum and carbon fiber. These materials are skillfully combined to create flat "cells," with each fuel cell system containing a total of 307 vertically stacked cells.

Moreover, the Fuel Cell System Manufacturing (FCSM) facility will manufacture fuel cells. These fuel cells will be used various applications and business endeavors by both automakers. According to reports, the companies disclosed that they invested a combined sum of $85 million to set up FCSM back in January 2017.

The facility comprises a 70,000-square foot facility currently providing employment to 80 individuals. Tetsuo Suzuki, the Vice President of FCSM, expressed readiness to cater to customers' future requirements in the realm of fuel cell technology as we embark on the hydrogen era.

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Fuel Cell in Honda, GM's Lineup

Honda plans to introduce its fuel cell system in vehicles, starting with a crossover based on the CR-V, expected to launch this year. GM, on the other hand, will initially use its fuel cell systems for backup power stations and large trucks in Autocar's fleet.

Honda's fuel cell vehicle will primarily target the California market, where hydrogen refueling stations are available. The automaker had previously sold the Clarity fuel cell vehicle, which ceased production in 2021.

Additionally, back in 2017, GM had announced its intention to manufacture at least one passenger vehicle powered by a fuel cell by the year 2023. However, less than three years later, they abandoned this plan in favor of prioritizing consumer-focused battery-electric vehicles.

About Hydrogen Fuel Cell

According to Airbus, the automotive and heavy transportation industries are among the many areas where hydrogen fuel cells are becoming recognized as a very promising technology with substantial potential to increase energy efficiency and cut carbon emissions.

Airbus also explained how Hydrogen fuel cells work. A fuel cell is a device that, like batteries, uses an electrochemical mechanism to convert the stored energy in molecules into electrical power. A typical hydrogen fuel cell functions as follows and is typically made up of two electrodes (a cathode and an anode) divided by an electrolyte membrane:

First, the anode of the fuel cell is used to introduce hydrogen. At this stage, hydrogen atoms undergo a reaction with a catalyst, causing them to split into electrons and protons. Simultaneously, oxygen from the surrounding air enters through the cathode.

The positively charged protons traverse the permeable electrolyte membrane, moving towards the cathode. Concurrently, the negatively charged electrons leave the cell and create an electric current that can be used for a variety of things, such hybrid or electric propulsion systems.

Ultimately, within the cathode, the protons and oxygen combine to form water as a byproduct of the process.

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