Honda Motor has commenced assembly of the first fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) to be built in the United States — the CR-V e:FCEV. The fuel cell version of Honda’s popular CR-V crossover is the first plug-in hybrid fuel cell vehicle to be both sold and manufactured in the U.S., marking a significant milestone for the company.
The CR-V e:FCEV is capable of being plugged into charging ports and running on both electricity and hydrogen, making it a versatile and eco-friendly choice. Presently, there are 56 fuel cell stations in the United States, all located in California, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
See also: Honda Unveils Hydrogen Semi Truck Concept at Clean Transportation Expo
With a driving range of up to 270 miles on a single ‘tank,’ the new CR-V has received positive reviews from some reviewers, 29 miles of which are thanks to its electric driving capacity.
Production of the CR-V e:FCEV is taking place at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, which also produces the Accord sedan and coupe, as well as the Acura TLX and ILX. The fuel cell systems, which are integral to the vehicles, are manufactured at Fuel Cell System Manufacturing in Brownstone, Michigan, a joint venture between Honda and General Motors. This new fuel cell system, co-developed by the two companies, is twice as durable and two-thirds cheaper than Honda’s previous fuel cell system used in the Clarity.
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“Producing a zero-emission fuel cell electric vehicle is one more step toward Honda’s global goal of achieving carbon neutrality for our products and operations,” said Patrick McIntrye, who leads the Ohio facility.
Honda views hydrogen-powered vehicles as one of the “high-potential energy carriers” to support its electrification goals and shift to renewable energy. The company recently unveiled a concept for a hydrogen fuel cell truck and began testing a stationary fuel cell power station in California last year.
See also: Honda will start US production of hydrogen-powered CR-V in 2024
Honda aims for battery-powered EVs and FEVs to make up all its new vehicle sales by 2040, an ambitious target in line with several other automakers’ objectives. The Ohio facility will serve as one of Honda’s EV “hubs” and will oversee the production of its North American EVs. Additionally, Honda is making significant investments in Canada to establish a supply chain to support its electrification initiatives.
Despite these efforts, the success of the CR-V e:FCEV in the U.S. market remains uncertain. In 2023, fewer than 3,000 hydrogen fuel cell cars were sold in the U.S., while global sales dropped by 30% to 14,451 units.
