Isuzu Motors and Honda Motor are now testing the so-called Giga Fuel Cell truck on public roads in Japan. The hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck is being co-developed by the two companies. The prototype model being used for this demonstration is the same type as the one exhibited earlier this month at the Isuzu Group booth at the Japan Mobility Show 2023.

The demonstration testing, scheduled to run through September 2024, will collect data and detect technical issues in preparation for a 2027 introduction of production trucks, the companies said.

Isuzu and Honda believe that fuel cell (FC) technology, using hydrogen as fuel with no CO2 emissions, will be effective to achieve carbon neutrality of heavy-duty trucks which are required to achieve high-efficiency transportation with their capability for long-distance driving, large load capacity, and quick refueling.

After the signing of an agreement in January 2020 to conduct joint research on FC-powered heavy-duty trucks, the two companies have been working on the verification of the compatibility of the FC system and heavy-duty trucks and the establishment of a foundation for basic technologies such as vehicle control technologies.