General Motors has announced that it will stop work on next-generation hydrogen fuel cell development through its HYDROTEC brand. Production of hydrogen fuel cells for data centre and power generation through Fuel Cell System Manufacturing LLC, a GM joint venture with Honda, will continue.
While hydrogen holds promise for specific high-demand industrial applications like backup power, mining, and heavy trucking, the path to reaching a sustainable business in fuel cells is long and uncertain. High costs and limited hydrogen infrastructure in the US has limited consumer adoption of fuel cell-powered vehicles. According to the US Department of Energy, only 61 hydrogen refuelling stations exist nationwide, compared to more than 250 000 level 2 or faster electric vehicle charging locations.
GM is sharpening its focus on the technologies that show the clearest path to scale and customer value.
GM will concentrate R&D and capital resources on batteries, charging technology, and EVs – which have clear market traction, rather than on hydrogen, which has yet to fulfill its potential.