Honda Motor Co. has joined H2USA, a public-private partnership formed by the U.S. Department of Energy to support the development and commercialization of fuel cell electric vehicles.
Members of the H2USA include Toyota Motor Corp., Daimler AG’s Mercedes Benz unit, Hyundai Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and several other manufacturers, government agencies, gas suppliers and alternative fuel companies.
The companies are studying how to best encourage early adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles, in addition to researching solutions for more cost-effective infrastructure to distribute hydrogen fuel.
Honda’s FCX Clarity was the first fuel cell electric vehicle available for lease to U.S. retail customers, according to the company.
Steven Center, American Honda’s vice president of environmental business development, said in a statement that the company is looking forward to building the infrastructure necessary to eventually roll out fuel cell electric vehicles across the United States.
“This public-private partnership is a necessary step to continue the development of a hydrogen refueling infrastructure for fuel cell electric vehicles customers and leverage other hydrogen energy sources, including natural gas and renewables, allowing consumers in many parts of the country to take advantage of this clean, low-carbon transportation option.”
