Mercedes Mullins
General Motors (GM) has been working on hydrogen fuel cell technology for over 50 years, but it has seen little to no commercial success. In 2017, GM announced plans for 20 electric vehicles, including both battery-electric and fuel-cell powertrains. However, in 2020, GM shifted its focus away from hydrogen fuel-cell passenger cars and towards battery-electric vehicles for passenger cars and fuel-cell powertrains for military and commercial vehicles. GM has since been investing in EV and AV technology, aiming to become the market leader in EVs in North America and the global leader in battery and fuel cell technology. While GM has not provided a specific timeline for the release of hydrogen fuel cell cars, it has been expanding its fuel cell business beyond EVs and has partnerships with companies like Honda, Navistar, and Nikola for the development and commercialization of hydrogen fuel cells for various applications, including cars, heavy-duty vehicles, boats, and planes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| GM's plan for hydrogen fuel cells | GM's plans for hydrogen fuel cells are beginning to take shape as the company pours $35 billion into electric and autonomous vehicles through 2025 |
| GM's collaboration with Honda | GM and Honda partnered to build next-generation fuel-cell stacks together in Michigan. In 2024, they began construction on their first joint venture to produce hydrogen fuel cells. |
| GM's collaboration with Navistar | GM has agreements with Navistar regarding Hydrotec. GM is supplying its HYDROTEC fuel cell power cubes for Navistar's production model fuel cell electric vehicle, the International® RHTM Series. |
| GM's collaboration with Liebherr-Aerospace | GM and Liebherr-Aerospace are developing a fuel cell power generation system to demonstrate how such systems could be used in aircraft applications. |
| GM's collaboration with Wabtec | GM is working with Wabtec to help develop and commercialize GM’s Ultium battery and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell technologies for potential use in Wabtec’s electric locomotives. |
| GM's collaboration with Nikola | GM has agreements with embattled EV start-up Nikola regarding Hydrotec. |
| GM's collaboration with Southern Company | GM will deliver the fuel cell trucks to Southern Company, an Atlanta-based gas and electricity utility, for use as shop vehicles for its worksites. |
| GM's collaboration with Nel ASA | GM will work with Nel ASA, using the Norwegian company’s PEM Electrolyzer in an effort to create hydrogen more sustainably. |
| GM's collaboration with the U.S. military | GM has programs with the U.S. military involving hydrogen fuel cells, including a pickup truck and an underwater unmanned vessel. |
| GM's electric vehicles | GM plans to launch 20 electric vehicles by 2023. |
| GM's hydrogen-powered cars | GM's hydrogen-powered cars will likely lean toward commercial applications, like delivery trucks. |
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What You'll Learn
GM's focus on battery-electric vehicles
General Motors (GM) has shifted its focus to battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) as part of its commitment to an all-electric future. The company aims to transition to an entirely electric lineup by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. GM has invested $35 billion in electric and autonomous vehicles (EVs and AVs) through 2025, with the goal of becoming the market leader in EVs in North America and the global leader in battery and fuel cell technology.
GM's battery platform, Ultium, offers flexible architecture and empowers a range of electric experiences. Introduced in 2020, the Ultium platform features modular battery and drive unit combinations, providing versatility for various EVs, including trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. Ultium batteries now use cells with nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum cathodes, which offer increased energy storage and longer driving ranges. However, these batteries are more expensive, and GM is exploring more affordable options.
To speed up the development of more affordable battery chemistry, GM has invested in a Silicon Valley startup, Mitra Chem. Mitra Chem utilizes artificial intelligence to develop advanced iron-based cathode active materials, such as lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP). These materials are less expensive and more sustainable alternatives to the current NCM mixture used in EV battery cathodes. While iron-based batteries typically have lower energy storage capacity, GM is committed to finding the right balance between cost and performance.
GM's focus on BEVs is also evident in its collaboration with Honda. The companies are jointly developing two new electric vehicles based on the Ultium Platform, leveraging economies of scale to drive down costs. Additionally, GM is working with Navistar to implement a zero-emission long-haul system, supplying its HYDROTEC fuel cell power cubes for their International® RHTM Series electric vehicle. GM is committed to exploring all avenues to reduce emissions and create a more sustainable future, even if that means competing with its own hydrogen fuel cell technology.
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GM's joint venture with Honda
In 2013, General Motors Co. (GM) and Honda Motor Co. (HMC) agreed to join forces in future hydrogen fuel cell development. In 2016, the two companies partnered to build next-generation fuel cell stacks together, in Michigan.
In 2017, the two automakers established a 50-50 joint venture, Fuel Cell System Manufacturing (FCSM), to produce hydrogen fuel cells. The FCSM plant in Brownstown, Michigan, cost $83-$85 million to establish and includes a 70,000-square-foot facility that has created 80 jobs.
FCSM is the first large-scale manufacturing joint venture to build fuel cells. The hydrogen power solutions built at FCSM will be used by both companies in various product applications and business ventures. The companies have also collaborated on battery electric vehicles, including the Honda Prologue, Acura ZDX, and Cruise Origin.
FCSM Vice President Tetsuo Suzuki said his company is ready “to meet the needs of the customers for the future applications of fuel cell technology and the beginning of the hydrogen era." GM and Honda engineers began their collaboration in 2013 to develop the next-generation fuel cell system that’s being produced by FCSM. The car companies said it will increase performance and double durability, while significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
While GM has expressed interest in hydrogen fuel cells for military, commercial, and other forms of transportation, it has backed away from hydrogen fuel-cell tech in passenger vehicles. The company plans to focus on battery-electric powertrains for passenger cars, and fuel-cell powertrains for military and commercial vehicles.
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GM's HYDROTEC fuel cell power cubes
The HYDROTEC power cubes are compact and easy to package, with packaging advantages that few competitive systems can match. They are significantly lighter than EV battery packs, making them ideal for aircraft applications and beneficial for increasing range. The cubes provide 80 kilowatts of clean power, enough to power two mid-sized homes, and their proprietary control systems increase battery life and keep the precious metal content required to develop parts low.
The power cubes can convert 1kg of hydrogen into 15kWh of electrical energy, and they can be used as a direct power source or in conjunction with a battery power source. This versatility makes the technology all the more adaptable. The HYDROTEC fuel cells efficiently convert hydrogen gas into electric power through an electrochemical process. Hydrogen passes through a positive terminal, separating the hydrogen ions from its electrons. The hydrogen ions are then passed through an electrolyte while the electrons are routed through wires, providing electrical energy to the application's motors. The electrons are then routed back to the negative terminal of the fuel cell and combined with the original hydrogen ions and oxygen, resulting in a clean byproduct: water.
GM has entered into several partnerships focused on the use of its HYDROTEC technology, including power cubes. The company has signed deals with Navistar and OneH2 to supply its Hydrotec Fuel Cell Power Cubes to Navistar International Corp., owner of International trucks, for use in its commercial production model vehicles under the International RH Series line. The first production model fuel cell electric vehicle will be available in the model year 2024, fitted with two Hydrotec Fuel Cell Power Cubes. GM has also entered a partnership with Wabtec, a leading global provider for the freight and transit rail industries, to help develop and commercialize GM's Ultium battery and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell technologies for potential use in Wabtec's electric locomotives.
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GM's hydrogen-powered cars for commercial applications
General Motors (GM) has been working on hydrogen fuel cell technology for over 50 years, but with little to no commercial success. However, the company has recently announced plans to expand its fuel cell business beyond electric vehicles (EVs) for commercial applications. GM is investing $35 billion in EV and autonomous vehicle (AV) technology through 2025, aiming to become the market leader in EVs in North America and the global leader in battery and fuel cell technology.
GM sees significant opportunities for fuel cells in the military, commercial vehicles, and other forms of transportation such as rail and maritime. The company is exploring these areas as a complementary solution to its emerging battery-electric vehicle business, known as Ultium. According to Charlie Freese, who leads GM's global fuel cell business, "Batteries have a role to fill, but to fully electrify and deal with the breadth of different applications that we're talking about, you also have to have hydrogen fuel cells. They complement each other extremely well."
GM is collaborating with several companies to develop and commercialize its hydrogen fuel cell technology. For example, they are working with Honda to develop and produce fuel cells and jointly develop two all-new electric vehicles based on the Ultium Platform. Additionally, GM has agreements with Navistar and Nikola, and prior programs with the U.S. military involving hydrogen fuel cells, including a pickup truck and an underwater unmanned vessel.
One of GM's most notable projects is the development of a fleet of hydrogen-powered medium-duty trucks for a DOE pilot program. These trucks will share the exterior design of the Chevy Silverado 5500 medium-duty trucks but will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells developed by GM's Hydrotec division. The total project will cost $65 million, with $26 million coming from the DOE. GM is also working on other hydrogen-related projects, including mobile power generators, cement mixers, and heavy-duty vehicles.
GM's hydrogen fuel cell technology offers several advantages, including rapid refuelling, the ability to carry heavy cargo due to efficient electron storage, and quiet operation due to fewer moving parts. The company's Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes are compact and feature packaging advantages that few competitive systems can match. GM is committed to creating a world with zero emissions, and its hydrogen fuel cell technology plays a crucial role in achieving this vision.
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GM's $35 billion investment in EV and AV technology
General Motors Company (GM) has announced that it will increase its investment in electric and autonomous vehicle (EV and AV) technologies to $35 billion from 2020 through 2025. This represents a 75% increase from its initial commitment announced prior to the pandemic.
The company aims to become the market leader in EVs in North America and the global leader in battery and fuel cell technology through its Ultium battery platform and HYDROTEC fuel cells. GM is also committed to safely commercializing self-driving technology at scale through its majority-owned subsidiary, Cruise.
The $35 billion investment will accelerate GM's transformative strategy and commitment to a more sustainable future. The company is targeting annual global EV sales of more than 1 million by 2025 and plans to launch 30 global electric vehicle models by 2025, targeting markets in North America, Europe, and China.
GM's strong underlying business has enabled this increased investment, including record EBIT-adjusted in the last three quarters. The company expects to deliver better-than-expected results in the second quarter despite the industry-wide impact of the semiconductor shortage.
While GM has backed away from hydrogen fuel-cell technology for passenger vehicles, it still sees opportunities for fuel cells in the military, commercial vehicles, and other forms of transportation, such as rail and maritime. GM is working with Honda to develop and commercialize fuel cells and is also collaborating with Wabtec to develop and commercialize its Ultium battery and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell technologies for potential use in Wabtec's electric locomotives.
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Frequently asked questions
GM has not announced a date for the release of hydrogen fuel cell cars. However, they have been working on fuel cell technology for over 50 years and have a number of partnerships and projects in this area.
GM is focusing on battery-electric powertrains for passenger cars and fuel-cell powertrains for military and commercial vehicles.
GM sees hydrogen fuel cells as a key component of its electrification strategy, which has so far consisted largely of battery-electric vehicles.
Hydrogen fuel cells are lighter than batteries, can be refuelled more quickly, and enable longer travel distances and larger payloads. They also produce no emissions, with water vapour being the only by-product.
