Honda will introduce a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that can also be recharged, becoming the first Japanese automaker to bring the technology to market

Honda will introduce a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that can also be recharged, becoming the first Japanese automaker to bring the technology to market.


Honda announced on Wednesday that its new five-seat crossover, based on the popular CR-V, will be produced in Ohio and available for sale in North America this spring, with plans to import it to Japan by this summer.

Japan's auto manufacturers, particularly Toyota Motor Corp, have embraced hydrogen as a potential solution for reducing emissions. However, the technology has been slow to gain traction due to high costs and a lack of refueling infrastructure. By incorporating electric recharging capabilities, Honda aims to address drivers' concerns about finding hydrogen stations.

Koichi Ikoma, the project leader for the new crossover, stated, "There is no definitive answer yet for FCEVs (fuel-cell electric vehicles). We aim to offer it as one of the choices for customers who are interested in embracing emission-free transportation."