MotleyFool: What New Technology Is Honda Developing With General Motors?

Honda's FCV sedan will come to market next year. The FCV is an electric car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Honda and GM have been working together on fuel cells. Image source: Honda.

The two automakers are said to be working together on new technology. Here's what we know.

General Motors' (NYSE:GM) global product chief, Mark Reuss, let slip something interesting during a presentation to investors earlier this month: GM is working on new technology with a partner that might surprise you -- Honda (NYSE:HMC).
What's that about?

An alternative -- or complement -- to battery-electric cars
We don't (yet) know what else the two might be working on, but we have known for a while that GM and Honda are working together to develop a fuel cell suitable for mass-market vehicles. The technology is expected to come to market around 2020.
Fuel cells are devices that extract energy from a substance, usually hydrogen gas, and chemically convert it to electricity. The only "exhaust" from a hydrogen fuel cell is water vapor.
The devices hold promise as a way to power electric vehicles. But one key obstacle has been cost: Current fuel cells incorporate costly materials like platinum. And the devices have been heavy and cumbersome.
Honda has been tinkering with fuel cells for many years, deploying little fleets of fuel-cell cars in places like Southern California. Honda recently confirmed that it will bring a fuel-cell vehicle to market next year, following rival Toyota's fuel-cell-powered Mirai.

GM has been doing fuel-cell research since the 1960s
It's less well known that GM has been working on fuel cells for much longer. In fact, GM built the very first operational vehicle powered by a fuel cell way back in 1968, and the company has received more patents on technology related to fuel cells since 2002 than any other company.
GM has expertise in some technologies that are especially applicable to mass-market fuel cells, like the ability to apply very thin but uniform coatings to parts.  Meanwhile, Honda has been able to reduce the size of its fuel-cell apparatus, called a "stack," to about the same size as its 3.5-liter V6 engine.
That means it can be placed under a car's hood. Current electric cars require a lot of space for batteries or fuel-cell components, and that space often comes out of the passenger compartment.
If Honda is contributing advances in size, and GM is contributing advances that help lower costs, it's easy to see how the two might have decided to team up.

Honda appears to be betting on fuel cells...
Many electric-car proponents have been dismissive of fuel-cell technology. They say that batteries are a greener solution, that there's more infrastructure already in place to support them, and that hydrogen fuel cells are an expensive distraction. Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk has derided them as "fool cells" (and not "Fool" in the sense that we like around here).
Honda, like Toyota, clearly sees it differently. Toyota has said that its engineers think that the long recharging times required by battery-electric cars will turn out to be an insurmountable obstacle to mass-market adoption of the technology. 

... but for GM, fuel cells are just one of several big bets
 GM doesn't seem to agree. It doesn't see fuel cells versus batteries as an either/or choice. Reuss said during his presentation that fuel cells may work better for larger vehicles than batteries. It could also turn out to be more cost-effective where longer range is required -- making the car's hydrogen tank larger will likely always be cheaper than adding more batteries.

The Chevrolet Bolt is an affordable battery-electric car with about 200 miles of range. GM will bring it to market in late 2016 or early 2017. Image source: General Motors.

GM is obviously also putting a lot of effort into battery electrics. It's bringing a mass-market battery-electric car, the Chevrolet Bolt, to market in a little over a year. It's also extending its very good plug-in hybrid technology, developed for the original Chevy Volt, to more products across its range -- including the new top-of-the-line Cadillac CT6 sedan.
But it's clear that GM is taking a mixed approach to the future of autos -- and it's obvious that GM and Honda have found some real value in working together.

John Rosevear owns shares of General Motors. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. 

Source;
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/10/12/what-new-technology-is-honda-developing-with-gener.aspx

Honda to launch mainstream fuel cell vehicles by 2020

by Alexi Falson of www.performancedrive.com.au

Honda, keen to save the world, is planning to mass produce environmentally-friendly hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by around 2020.

The announcement comes as Honda prepares itself for the 2016 release of its FCV concept (pictured), which was unveiled at this year’s Detroit Motor Show.

Thomas Brachmann, the man in charge of powertrain development at Honda, confirmed to Autocar the Japanese manufacturer is getting close to a production-version of the FCV, and that the numbers produced will far exceed a limited run of 250-1000 cars, for example.

The FCV is powered by a highly secretive hydrogen fuel cell, which, according to Honda, can be charged in just three minutes and has a claimed range of more than 480km.

Honda pulled its R&D knowledge from the FCX Clarity, which was its first hydrogen fuel-cell powered production vehicle, and reduced the size of its ‘engine’ by more than 33 per cent, as well as massively increasing its range.

Brachmann admitted that there is a lot of work ahead of them in terms of the adoption of hydrogen fuel cells, but confirmed that Honda intends to sell the FCV in Japan next year and world-wide soon after.

Source;
http://performancedrive.com.au/honda-to-launch-mainstream-fuel-cell-vehicles-by-2020-2517/

Honda FCV Concept - 2015 Detroit Auto Show AutoGuide Video

Honda FCV Concept to Make North American Debut at 2015 North American International Auto Show

Dec 17, 2014 - TORRANCE, Calif.

• Honda FCV Concept demonstrates the exterior and interior styling evolution of the next-generation zero emissions Honda fuel-cell vehicle
• Next-generation Honda FCV is intended to provide significant gains in packaging, interior space, cost reduction and real-world performance, including an anticipated driving range in excess of 300-miles

The Honda FCV Concept will make its North American debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show on Jan. 12. Continuing more than a decade of Honda leadership in the area of fuel cell vehicle (FCV) technology, the Honda FCV Concept showcases the styling evolution of Honda's next fuel-cell vehicle, anticipated to launch in the U.S., following its introduction in Japan, which is scheduled to occur by March 2016.
As the next progression in Honda's dynamic FCV styling, the Honda FCV Concept features a low and wide aerodynamic body with clean character lines. The interior strives to achieve harmony between man and machine by taking advantage of new powertrain packaging efficiencies delivering even greater passenger space than the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, including seating for up to five people.
The Honda FCV Concept made its world debut in Japan on Nov. 17, 2014, followed by an announcement that Honda will provide FirstElement Fuel with $13.8 million in financial assistance to build additional hydrogen refueling stations throughout the state of California in an effort to support the wider introduction of fuel-cell vehicles.
Honda Fuel-Cell Vehicle Firsts:
The original FCX became the first EPA- and CARB-certified fuel-cell vehicle in July 2002. The FCX also was the world's first production fuel-cell vehicle, introduced to the U.S. and Japan in December 2002.
Additional highlights include:

• The Honda FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures (2003).


• The FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle leased to an individual customer (July 2005).


• With the FCX Clarity, Honda was the first manufacturer to build and produce a dedicated fuel-cell vehicle on a production line specifically made for fuel-cell vehicles (2008).


• Honda was the first manufacturer to create a fuel-cell vehicle dealer network (2008).

Honda Environmental Leadership
Based on its vision of "Blue Skies for our Children," Honda is taking a portfolio approach to reducing the environmental impact of its products, advancing fuel efficiency, low emissions and fun-to-drive performance with new powertrain technologies from its Earth Dreams Technology™ lineup, which includes more fuel-efficient engines and transmissions and advanced electromotive technologies. Honda's alternative-fuel vehicle lineup includes the Fit EV, Civic Hybrid, the CR-Z sport hybrid coupe and the Accord Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient 5-passenger sedan in America¹, as well as the Accord Plug-In Hybrid and the Civic Natural Gas, the only dedicated natural gas-powered passenger car available from a major automaker in America.
# # #
¹ Based on 2015 EPA mileage. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending driving conditions, how the vehicle is driven and maintained, battery pack age/condition and other factors.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/releases/honda-fcv-concept-to-make-north-american-debut-at-2015-north-american-international-auto-show

Honda FCV Concept Makes World Debut in Japan

Nov 16, 2014 - TOKYO

• Honda FCV Concept showcases the styling evolution of the next-generation zero emissions Honda fuel-cell vehicle
• Next-generation Honda FCV intends to provide significant gains in real-world performance, cost reduction, efficiency, packaging and appeal, including more than 300-mile driving range

The Honda FCV Concept, Honda's fuel-cell vehicle concept, made its world debut today in Japan. The Honda FCV Concept showcases the styling evolution of Honda's fuel-cell vehicle anticipated to launch in Japan by March of 2016, followed by U.S. and Europe.

As the next progression in Honda's dynamic FCV styling, the Honda FCV Concept features a low and wide aerodynamic body with clean character lines. The interior strives to achieve harmony between man and machine by taking advantage of new powertrain packaging efficiencies delivering even greater passenger space than its predecessor, the FCX Clarity, including seating for up to five people.

In an effort to support the wider introduction of fuel-cell vehicles, Honda will make an announcement at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show about its commitment to help expand and accelerate California's public hydrogen refueling station network.

Next-Generation Honda Fuel-Cell Vehicle
Honda's next-generation fuel-cell vehicle launching in 2016 applies a fuel-cell powertrain that fits completely within the front engine compartment of the vehicle, allowing for efficiencies in cabin space as well as flexibility in the potential application of fuel-cell technology to multiple vehicle models in the future. Significant technological advancements to the fuel-cell stack have yielded more than 100kW of power output. The power density is now 3.1kW/L, an increase of 60 percent, with the stack size reduced 33-percent compared to the Honda FCX Clarity. The next-generation Honda FCV is targeted to deliver a driving range of more than 300 miles with a quick refueling time of about three to five minutes at a pressure of 70 MPa.
 
Honda Fuel-Cell Vehicle Leadership
Honda has led the industry for nearly two decades in the development and deployment of fuel-cell technology through extensive real-world testing, including the first government fleet deployment and retail customer leasing program. Since the introduction of its first generation fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX, in 2002, Honda has made significant technological advancements in fuel-cell vehicle operation in both hot and sub-freezing weather while meeting customer expectations and safety regulations.

Honda has deployed vehicles in the U.S. and Japan, including the FCX Clarity, which was named the 2009 World Green Car. Honda has delivered these vehicles to individual retail consumers in the U.S. and collected valuable feedback concerning real-world use of both fuel-cell vehicles and public hydrogen stations.

Honda's current fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity, launched in July 2008 and was quickly heralded as a technological breakthrough in the areas of design, packaging and efficiency. As the world's first dedicated platform fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity features a striking silhouette and a low-slung cabin. With the V-flow fuel cell stack positioned in the center tunnel of the vehicle and the electric motor located down low in the front of the vehicle, Honda was able to maintain the Clarity's futuristic styling while allowing for 240 miles of driving range.

In the effort to speed the advance of a refueling infrastructure outside of California, in May 2013, American Honda joined the public-private partnership H2USA, which brings together  automakers, government agencies, hydrogen suppliers, and the hydrogen and fuel-cell industries to coordinate research and identify cost-effective solutions to deploy infrastructure that can deliver affordable, clean hydrogen fuel in the United States.

In June 2013, Honda entered into a long-term collaborative agreement with General Motors to co-develop the next-generation of fuel-cell systems and hydrogen storage technologies, aiming for the 2020 timeframe. The collaboration expects to succeed by sharing technological expertise, economies of scale and other benefits.

Honda Fuel-Cell Vehicle Firsts:
The original FCX became the first EPA- and CARB-certified fuel-cell vehicle in July 2002. The FCX also was the world's first production fuel-cell vehicle, introduced to the U.S. and Japan in December 2002.
Additional highlights include:

• The Honda FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures (2003).
• The FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle leased to an individual customer (July 2005).
• Honda was the first manufacturer to build and produce a dedicated fuel-cell vehicle (FCX Clarity) on a production line specifically made for fuel-cell vehicles (2008).
• Honda was the first manufacturer to create a fuel-cell vehicle dealer network (2008).

Honda Environmental Leadership
Based on its vision of "Blue Skies for our Children," Honda is taking a portfolio approach to reducing the environmental impact of its products, advancing fuel efficiency, low emissions and fun-to-drive performance with new powertrain technologies from its Earth Dreams Technology™ lineup, which includes more fuel-efficient engines and transmissions and advanced electromotive technologies. Honda's alternative-fuel vehicle lineup includes the Civic Hybrid, the CR-Z hybrid sport coupe and the Accord Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient 5-passenger sedan in America, as well as the Accord Plug-In Hybrid and the Civic Natural Gas, the only dedicated natural gas-powered passenger car available from a major automaker in America.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/releases/honda-fcv-concept-makes-world-debut-in-japan