Honda to build plant for next-gen fuel cell system

TOKYO: Honda Motor Co Ltd will build a new plant in Japan to produce the next-generation fuel cell system which it developed independently.

Honda aims to start operating the new plant by March 2028.

The plant will utilise part of the land and buildings of the powertrain unit factory, located in Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, which discontinued production of automobile powertrain components in October 2024.

The new plant will be the first facility dedicated to the production of the fuel cell system and will have an annual production capacity of 30,000 units.

Honda is expecting to receive a government subsidy for the production of next-generation fuel cell systems, including the establishment of the new plant.

Honda has been working to further expand opportunities for its hydrogen business by identifying four core domains for the utilisation of its fuel cell system: fuel cell vehicles (FCEV), commercial vehicles, stationary power stations and construction machinery.

By leveraging the strength of its independently developed and produced next-generation fuel cell system, Honda wants to gain a 5% share of the FC-powered truck market by 2030, and also pursue an ambitious target of gaining 30% market share by 2040.