Japan first developed a robust hydrogen station network, but now requires hydrogen trucks

Japan stands out among the countries with a solid infrastructure for supplying hydrogen . Japanese manufacturers are fully aware of this and want to take advantage of it, not only by offering cars, but also trucks equipped with fuel cells.

Toyota has long been in this area, and now Honda is stepping up its commitment to hydrogen by expanding its partnership with Isuzu to develop a heavy-duty truck using this technology.

Japan already has hydrogen plants, now it wants to use them

For many years, Honda was one of the few manufacturers to invest in the use of hydrogen, going so far as to introduce production models of fuel cell vehicles, such as the Honda Clarity. However, there came a time when the CEO of the Japanese company grew weary and declared hydrogen cars to be "unworkable".

Since then, hydrogen has continued to grow in importance, not only in the automotive sector, but also in commercial vehicles, including fuel cell vans and trucks. Notable examples include the hydrogen-powered Ford E-Transit and Toyota's fuel cell trucks from VDL.

This development prompted Honda to reconsider its CEO's position, going from an "undoable" attitude to a real defiance in just over a year. The Japanese brand has decided to bet more strongly than ever on hydrogen, by integrating not only the fuel cell in its cars, but also by using hydrogen in heavy vehicles and trucks.

Regarding the use of hydrogen in the heavy road transport sector, there are two possible approaches: either develop these models in-house without collaboration, or partner with other manufacturers.

Hyundai is working independently on its XCIENT Fuel Cell, as is Mercedes-Benz with its GenH2 Truck. There are also start-ups such as HVS in Scotland that do not need to collaborate with other companies.

On the other hand, Nikola has the help of Iveco, Toyota has partnered with Kenworth in the United States and VDL in the Netherlands, while Honda has partnered with Isuzu.

The two Japanese companies recently announced the signing of an agreement under which Honda will be responsible for the development and supply of the fuel cell for an Isuzu truck, which is scheduled for release in 2027.

Since 2020, the two companies have been studying the viability of using large fuel cell trucks, and the project is now gaining momentum. Indeed, the first prototypes of this truck should be ready in less than a year.

What remains to be seen is whether Honda and Isuzu will take a similar approach to Toyota and VDL, developing a fuel cell conversion kit for existing diesel trucks, or creating an all-new model from scratch.

In the case of Nikola and Iveco, the fuel cell truck already operational in the United States is based on a pre-existing Iveco combustion engine.

We also do not have information about the availability of the Honda and Isuzu truck in Europe. It is possible that he will stay in Japan, where the hydrogen grid is of particular importance. However, it should be noted that the presence of hydrogen stations in Europe, especially in Germany and the Netherlands, is constantly growing, thanks in particular to the expansion planned under the H2 stations plan.

What is evident is that automakers are increasingly integrating hydrogen into their plans, whether for cars or trucks. Honda doesn't want to be left out in either industry.