Honda unveils hydrogen-powered CR-V

Honda has unveiled the fuel cell version of its CR-V compact SUV, which was announced at the end of 2022. A special feature: the on-board battery can be charged externally. Sales of the Honda CR-V e:FCEV are set to begin this year in Japan and California.

According to Honda’s accompanying press release, the 4.8 metre long CR-V e:FCEV has a range of 434 kilometres (according to EPA) and can travel a further 46 kilometres (according to EPA) thanks to a 17.7 kWh battery on board. Unlike other fuel cell systems, the battery is not a buffer battery to absorb braking energy and only supports the system when it is needed most. The CR-V e:FCEV is relatively large at 17.7 kWh and can also be charged externally. In addition, the charging port can be used bi-directionally for charging external devices (V2L) thanks to an adapter.

Honda developed the FC system itself together with GM. It consists of a fuel cell with 92.2 kW and an electric motor with 130 kW output. The two hydrogen tanks under and behind the rear seat hold 4.3 kilograms of hydrogen. Honda estimates the refuelling time at around three minutes.

“With theWith the introduction of the CR-V e:FCEV, Honda will be the first Japanese automaker* to launch an FCEV model featuring a plug-in charging function that enables charging of the onboard battery from an external power source. Without compromising the advantages of an FCEV, such as long driving range and a short hydrogen refuelling time, the addition of a plug-in feature to charge the battery at home and/ or on the go further enhances the convenience of FCEVs,” Honda emphasized.

The fuel cell system used in the car is produced by the GM-Honda joint venture Fuel Cell System Manufacturing in the US state of Michigan. The vehicle itself will roll off the production line at the Honda Performance Manufacturing Centre in Ohio and will be transported from there to California and Japan, with the launch in Japan taking place before the market launch in California. However, the launch in both markets is scheduled for 2024.

According to Honda, the total cost of the new fuel cell system has been reduced by two-thirds compared to the fuel cell system of the 2019 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. At the same time, the durability of the system has doubled and the resistance at low temperatures has increased significantly compared to the previous system.

hondanews.eu, hondanews.com