GM, Honda and BMW to Partner on Hydrogen Work

3 August 2005

Kyodo News. Honda Motor will work with General Motors and BMW AG jointly to develop technologies for hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and vehicles equipped with hydrogen-fueled combustion engines, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported Thursday.

Initially, the automakers will reportedly cooperate to develop standardized fueling systems (nozzles, filler necks and other components) for liquid hydrogen, stored at temperatures of -250º C (-418º F) or less.

Currently, BMW’s hydrogen work is focused mainly on bi-fuel hydrogen-gasoline combustion engines fueled with liquid hydrogen (the 750hL). Both GM and Honda are focused on fuel cell development.

In addition to cutting development costs, the three companies hope the collaboration will reduce manufacturing costs of fuel-cell vehicles by standardizing related parts, according to the report in the paper.