GM and Honda Partnering On What?

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
1/19/2016

Fuel cells. Yes, GM and Honda are going to work together building fuel cells that will power electric cars according to Bidnessetc.com and a Japanese publication. Fuel cells are used in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Like EVs' they are considered zero-emission vehicles. The emissions are hidden away at the place where the hydrogen is separated from whatever else it was part of, methane or water. FCEVs use a battery just like an EV, but the battery is charged on-board from hydrogen that is stored in special tanks (image of Toyota's Mirai tanks below).

Neither GM, nor Honda want to build FCEVs, nor does Toyota, Mercedes, or Hyundai. However, these companies must all manufacture a certain number of zero-emission vehicles if they want to do business in California and the 11 other wannabe states that mimic Cali's mandates. The reason that Toyota, and now GM and Honda, are building these vehicles instead of EVs is that California's Air Resources Board (CARB) credits manufacturers more for vehicles that can demonstrate fast refueling and long distances between fill-ups. FCEVs nail both of these metrics in comparison to battery electric vehicles. Many industry analysts say that one FCEV is worth three battery electrics to the manufacturers seeking compliance. With electric vehicle sales down last year compared to 2014, manufacturers want to build the least zero-emission EVs they can in order to lose less money.

[f5fstop]

Saturn used Honda engines and transmission back in the early 90s.

[Jsdirt]

I see another flop on the horizon. Thanks California ...

 

The dealership when this rolls out ...

[Super 8]

Saturn used Honda engines and transmission back in the early 90s.

Actually thru 2007 on the Vue's, my daughter is still driving our 2004 with the Honda 3.5

[okfoz]

GM and Toyota teamed up to make the Pontiac Vibe, so it is nothing new. As far as California goes, The Auto Makers might just consider playing hard ball, and tell the state that they will no longer be selling cars there, if they all got on the band wagon, I would imagine it would be interesting to see the CHP chase down a car with a bicycle. BUT Car companies are like prostitutes, they get the goods whenever they can, selling out at every turn.

[f5fstop]

Saturn used Honda engines and transmission back in the early 90s.

My quote is wrong. Not sure what I was thinking. It was not in the early 90s, but from 2004 through 2007 the Honda 3.5L VTEC was used in the Vue.

[truckofwinandawesome]

the Only problem I see with Hydrogen Vehicles, is that because 85% of the 14 Public Hydrogen Stations currently in operation in the ENTIRE United States are Clustered in California (Mostly in Los Angeles) the FCEVs released on the Market are going to be CALIFORNIA ONLY, and be nothing more than an EXTREMELY Niche market.