Hydrogen continues to be a promising fuel for the future, however, at this time, only commercial vehicles are benefiting from this product, which is basically being offered in consolidated markets.

For passenger cars, hydrogen is still far from attractive, and it seems that Honda has now realized how true this is, as it has postponed its plans to produce fuel cells in Japan.

Scheduled for 2027, the fuel cell plant in Moka, Japan, has had its planned production of 30,000 units per year revised. Honda has decided not only to postpone the start of its operation, but has also reduced the annual volume to be produced.

The reason is the low demand for hydrogen-powered passenger cars, which has caused the Japanese manufacturer to scale back its plans for upcoming fuel cell cars.

For Honda, the delay in fuel cell production in Japan entails the loss of government subsidies, as current plans involve starting production in 2028 and with an annual volume of 20,000 units.

Now, with the pragmatic approach, Honda realizes that the demand for hydrogen vehicles has decreased compared to its initial expectations. In the international market, basically, California is the one that demands the largest volume of this type of vehicle.

Today, Honda offers the CR-V e:FCEV as the only hydrogen option in its portfolio and the current technology was developed in partnership with General Motors, but even its best-selling car in the world does not allow for high expectations.

As promising as hydrogen is, its logistics are complicated because it requires much greater safety than fossil fuels or even plant-based fuels, such as ethanol, for example.

All of this makes the operation very expensive, and the fuel cell architecture and pressurized tanks in cars already have their own high costs. For now, only the Brazilian solution of obtaining hydrogen through ethanol seems viable, but it is in its early stages…