Anaheim, California – Honda is doubling down on hydrogen fuel cell technology, leveraging decades of research to push into commercial trucking and stationary power solutions. At this year’s ACT Expo, the automaker unveiled its latest series-production fuel cell system, now available for commercial use, alongside a range-extended hydrogen semi-truck and a hospital-scale backup power prototype.
Hydrogen-Powered Semi Truck: 500+ Miles of Range
Building on last year’s concept, Honda presented an upgraded version of its Peterbilt 579EV-based fuel cell truck, which uses a hydrogen fuel cell as a range extender for the vehicle’s 120 kWh battery. Without charging, the truck can travel 150 miles on battery power alone, but with the fuel cell system, its range exceeds 500 miles—even at a gross vehicle weight of 82,000 lbs.
Beyond Transportation: Backup Power and More
Honda’s vision extends beyond logistics. A scale model at its ACT Expo booth previewed a hydrogen-powered backup generator for hospitals and industrial facilities, signaling potential real-world deployments soon.
A Decades-Long Hydrogen Commitment
Despite hydrogen’s niche status in the auto industry, Honda has been refining the technology for nearly 40 years, debuting its first fuel cell vehicle (FCX) in 1999. Today, its lineup includes the CR-V HFC hybrid, which combines a 17.7 kWh battery (offering 29 miles of electric range) with a hydrogen tank for an additional 241 miles.
“Honda hydrogen is open for business,” said David Perzynski, assistant manager of hydrogen solutions development at American Honda. “We have the fuel cell technology, the expertise, and the supply chain to power zero-emission products across industries.”
For deeper insights, Honda’s 2023 interview with Perzynski on Quick Charge outlined the company’s broader hydrogen strategy.
Key Improvements
Stronger lead emphasizing commercial availability and new applications.
Clearer structure with subheadings for better readability.
More concise phrasing (e.g., “range climbs to more than 500 miles” → “exceeds 500 miles”).
AP-style attributions for quotes and technical details.
Removed informal language (“big Pete,” “piggyback ride”) while keeping the original meaning.
Related topics:
- PRO LAWN EQUIPMENT FOR 2025: SPREADERS, SPRAYERS & SEED TO BOOST EFFICIENCY
- BATTERY-POWERED REVOLUTION: 9 NEW LANDSCAPE EQUIPMENT OPTIONS
- ECHO DLM-2100SP 56V SELF-PROPELLED LAWN MOWER LEADS EFORCE LINEUP
