https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1141503_honda-shows-hydrogen-fuel-cell-module-set-to-power-cr-v This is the fuel cell module developed with GM. Light on specific details; just general statements of rate of improvement over past units, like the one in the Clarity. The CR-V FCEV is planned to enter production next year. Will have a plug, but no info on battery size and range. This module will also be used in a commercial truck with Isuzu. GM will also use it in truck with Navistar. They are still staying away from FCEV cars.
Likely. I don't see hydrogen working out for personal cars. Maybe for trucking. Then perhaps a small fuel cell could take the place of an ICE for range extender on an EV. It is also possible such a fuel cell will use something besides hydrogen for fuel by then. The main take aways from this for me was that they are still seeing improvements to cost and durability with development, and that Honda acknowledges some limitations to hydrogen infrastructure by making this C-RV a plug in.
Where do you fill your hydrogen tanks and have they addressed the problem of them seeping/leaking. I've read a article some time ago that if you fill the hydrogen bottle and let it sit for a month, you'd lose about a half of it. This would be a deal breaker; if you can't find fuel or fuel isn't available, when you need it. Honda, also sold the NGV (natural gas) civic. Same issue, limited to 200 mile range due fuel capacity. So really only 100 mile range; if you fuel at home. There's about a dozen fueling stations in my county, but they're only opened during normal business hours - NOT grocery store hours.
There are few stations primarily in California and even those are typically just one fuel nozzle. The downside is, since you refuel to 5,000 PSI - if there's a car or 2 in front of you, you have to wait until the compressor recharges the supply. carbon fiber tanks reduce the seepage characteristics - leaving just fuel lines to be addressed. The downside of compressed tanks - they have expiration dates leaving the issue similar to these giant wind turbine farms. What do you do with all that scrap carbon fiber. Wind turbines have several alternative materials they can use - but due to the 5,000 PSI nature in cars - you're never going to build those automotive tanks out of wood. In any event the vehicles have very delicate sensors so that if/when minute amounts of hydrogen ARE detected - blowers can dispense it into the surrounding area to prevent explosions. Just like natural gas - the concentrations need to be dense enough to actually ignite.
