JAPAN NEWS



 

Isuzu Motors Ltd. will postpone the market launch of its fuel cell-powered heavy-duty truck, which it is co-developing with Honda Motor Co., from the planned 2027 date, it has been learned.

The development of hydrogen refueling stations has not been progressing as planned, and the company also determined that the truck’s fuel cell system needed to be smaller and lighter to increase its carrying capacity.
Sales are likely to begin around 2030.

The two companies signed an agreement in 2020 to conduct joint research toward the practical application of hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks.

They have been equipping the vehicles with Honda’s fuel cell system and conducting demonstration runs, with plans to start selling large trucks with a maximum load capacity of 10 tons in 2027.

However, progress in developing the hydrogen stations has been slow. In 2021, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry set a goal of increasing the number of stations nationwide to around 1,000 by 2030, but currently there are only about 150 stations mainly in Tokyo.

Only about 20 of the stations can accommodate large vehicles. For long-distance travel, 24-hour hydrogen stations are essential, but few exist.

The fuel cell system currently planned for installation is heavy, which limits the truck’s load capacity and makes it unlikely to meet customer demands.

Therefore, the companies seem to consider that further technological innovation is needed to make the cell system smaller and lighter.

Hino Motors, Ltd. has been selling large hydrogen trucks, jointly developed with Toyota Motor Corp., in Tokyo, Aichi Prefecture and other areas since 2025.

Honda expects to post a net loss of up to ¥690 billion for the business year ending March 2026 and has indicated its intention to withdraw a policy of making all new cars electric vehicles or fuel cell vehicles by 2040.

Honda’s current situation, which makes it difficult to invest heavily in the hydrogen business, is also seen as a factor in the postponement of the joint project with Isuzu.