General Motors has long been a part of fuel cell technology and development. In fact, it has a very successful partnership with Honda to continually co-develop the technology and propulsion method.
Despite the technology being in relative infancy, a new report suggests fuel cell technology is developing too rapidly. So rapidly that General Motors has been holding back on bringing a dedicated fuel cell vehicle to market.
The latest Autoline Daily (skip to 2:30) explores why the automaker has decided to forego a fuel cell vehicle at this time, despite Honda using a GM-designed fuel cell stack in the second-generation Clarity.
GM chief engineer of fuel cells, Charlie Freese, stated GM could have a fuel cell in production already if it weren’t for the rapid development of the technology. By the time the vehicle would come to market, the fuel cell would already be outdated.
This also echoes GM product chief Mark Reuss’ comments stating we’ll continue to see Hondas use the technology before a GM vehicle.
Not only are fuel cells still being developed, but the infrastructure to refuel such a vehicle is likely even more susceptible to issues.
It’s likely we’ll see fuel cells rise one day, but that day doesn’t look to be any time soon while GM focuses on electrification of more vehicles.
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