For years it has been said that the evolution of electric cars will be electric with hydrogen cellthis refers to powertrains that instead of being recharged with electrical energy, will use hydrogen which will be processed by an engine to convert it into electric power which will propel the car. As a result, the only residue that will come out of the exhaust will be water. In a nutshell it is a electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.
These cars also feature a battery like that of an electric car that can be used to store the excess energy produced by the motors or to recapitulate energy from regenerative braking to thus extend the range. One of its advantages is energy efficiency that they provide, the problem to date was the cost and infrastructure of hydrogen refueling stations.
However, Honda and General Motors they have been collaborating for years on the creation of a new “hydrogen cell”, that is, a more advanced next-generation powertrain. According to what Honda has said, this engine is ready and we will see it reach the Honda CR-V in 2024.
In 2008 Honda presented the Clarity with a sedan with this type of powertrain, however, its price was very high. Fortunately, Honda says that with technological advances they have made the next generation of the hydrogen fuel cell cost only one third than it did in 2008. Also with new materials that make it more resistant to rust, extreme cold and that makes better use of the energy released in the electrochemical reaction.
Honda has not revealed specifications for this model, however, they say that their vision for the future is not only for passenger cars, but also for cargo transportation and even heavy construction equipment, as well as a network of hydrogen recharging stations. . For now they will focus on getting this CR-V ready for United States and Japan in 2024. Later, as progress is made, they will decide that other countries are viable to have this type of car.
It should be noted that not only Honda and General Motors have an interest in this technology; Hyundai, Toyota and BMW They have sold and developed powertrains of this style for a long time and continue to research for the future.