Honda is set to showcase its Class 8 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck Concept at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo on May 20, marking the launch of a new demonstration project aimed at future production of fuel cell-powered products for the North American market. The initiative is part of the company’s broader hydrogen business expansion, aligned with its global goal of achieving zero environmental impact, including carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050.
Ryan Harty, assistant vice president of sustainability & business development at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., emphasized the strategic importance of heavy-duty applications. “Commercial vehicles, including Class 8 trucks, where fuel cells offer the best zero-emission replacement for existing diesel applications, are a key part of Honda’s broad hydrogen business strategy,” he stated. Harty also noted that Honda is actively seeking business collaborations and customers to bring these solutions to market in North America.
The operational truck concept integrates three of Honda’s new fuel cell (FC) systems, now in mass production at Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, LLC (FCSM) in Brownstown, Michigan—a joint venture facility with General Motors. This FC system represents a decade of co-development between Honda and GM, delivering significant advancements: doubled durability, improved performance, and a two-thirds reduction in cost compared to the previous generation used in the 2019 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell sedan.
Honda has outlined four core domains for initial deployment of its new FC system: fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), commercial fuel cell vehicles, stationary power stations, and construction machinery. The Class 8 truck concept sits firmly within the commercial vehicle domain, targeting sectors where high payload capacity and long range are essential.
Key specifications of the truck concept include a total length of 8,000 mm, width of 2,400 mm, and height of 4,000 mm. The gross combination weight (GCW) is targeted at 37,273 kg, with the tractor weighing 12,918 kg and load capacity at 24,355 kg. The estimated top speed is 70 mph, and the driving range is projected at 400 miles at GCW. Power is delivered through a combined 240 kW output from three 80 kW FC systems, supported by a high-pressure 700 bar hydrogen tank with an 82 kg hydrogen capacity and a 120 kWh high-voltage battery.
Beyond the truck, Honda’s ACT Expo booth (#1031) will feature other zero-emission innovations. These include the 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV, the first production plug-in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle in America; the Honda Fuel Cell System itself, central to the company’s hydrogen strategy; and the Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle (AWV), an all-electric off-road prototype designed to enhance worksite efficiency and support repetitive tasks.
Harty will also deliver the keynote address at the Ultra Clean Heavy-Vehicle Summit on May 22, providing further insight into Honda’s hydrogen roadmap. This public engagement underscores Honda’s intent to build partnerships across industries to accelerate hydrogen adoption.
Honda’s environmental commitment is encapsulated in its “Triple Action to Zero” approach: achieving carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities, 100% renewable energy utilization, and resource circulation through sustainable materials reuse. The company aims for battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles to represent 100% of auto sales in the U.S. and globally by 2040.
In its manufacturing operations, Honda is offsetting CO2 emissions in North America through long-term virtual power purchase agreements for renewable wind and solar energy, targeting coverage of more than 60% of its electricity use. Additionally, Honda engages suppliers and retail dealer partners in promoting environmentally responsible practices, reinforcing its commitment to decarbonization across the value chain.