Isuzu and Honda unveil Giga Fuel Cell truck at Japan Mobility show 2023
Heavy-duty trucks that can travel long distances, carry a lot of weight, and refuel quickly will be able to achieve carbon neutrality to FC technology, according to Isuzu and Honda.
Tokyo, Japan- Isuzu Motors Limited., and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that they will exhibit the Giga Fuel Cell, a heavy-duty truck powered by fuel cells (FC) that the two companies are currently developing in collaboration, at the Isuzu Group stand at the Japan Mobility Show in 2023. The Giga Fuel Cell will be displayed to the general public for the first time at this time.
Heavy-duty trucks that can travel long distances, carry a lot of weight, and refuel quickly will be able to achieve carbon neutrality to FC technology, according to Isuzu and Honda. These features are necessary for high-efficiency transportation.
The two companies have been working together to verify the compatibility of the FC system and heavy-duty trucks since they signed an agreement in January 2020 to conduct joint research on FC-powered heavy-duty trucks. They have also been laying the groundwork for foundational technologies like vehicle control technologies.
By fully utilizing the technology, experience, and knowledge gained through the joint research, the two companies currently plan to introduce the production model to the market in 2027 and begin demonstration testing of a prototype model on public roads before the end of the current fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2024.
The Lowdeck 8x4 rigid truck layout, which is a standard configuration for trucks used for intercity transportation, is used by the Giga Fuel Cell model on show at the Japan Mobility Show. The Giga Fuel Cell is a zero-emission heavy-duty truck with real practicality to its range of more than 800 km/500 miles (Isuzu validation mode). The Giga Fuel Cell also has an external power output feature, allowing it to take advantage of its high energy capacity, which is exclusive to FC vehicles and uses hydrogen as fuel, and act as a "mobile power station" when necessary, such as during a disaster.
The two Companies will carry on developing products that meet the performance and conditions necessary for a heavy-duty trucks and satisfy customers as they work toward the anticipated market debut of a heavy-duty truck powered by FC in 2027.
