Isuzu and Honda begin testing fuel cell-powered heavy-duty truck in Japan

Isuzu Motors and Honda Motor Co have commenced demonstration testing on public roads in Japan of the Giga Fuel Cell, a fuel cell (FC)-powered heavy-duty truck currently being co-developed by the two companies.

Through this demonstration testing, scheduled to run through September 2024, the two companies will continue making progress in collecting data, amassing knowledge and identifying technical issues in preparation for a 2027 market introduction. The prototype model being used for this demonstration testing is the same type as the one exhibited at the Isuzu Group booth at the Japan Mobility Show 2023.

The two automakers’ logistics arms – Isuzu Logistics Co and Honda Logistics – are carrying out the demonstration testing of the Giga Fuel Cell on public roads in Japan to verify the potential of the utilization of hydrogen fuel and the practicality of heavy-duty fuel cell trucks in cargo handling and public road driving, vehicle operation management including hydrogen refueling and market compatibility of heavy-duty trucks

Isuzu and Honda believe that FC technology, utilising hydrogen as a fuel resulting in no CO2 emissions, will be effective to achieve carbon neutrality of heavy-duty trucks which are required to achieve high-efficiency transportation (with the capability for long-distance driving, large load capacity, quick refuelling).

Since the signing of an agreement in January 2020 to conduct joint research on FC-powered heavy-duty trucks, the two companies have been working on the verification of the compatibility of the FC system and heavy-duty trucks and the establishment of a foundation for basic technologies such as vehicle control technologies. The two companies are planning to introduce the production model to market in 2027 by fully leveraging the technology, experience and knowledge gained through the joint research.