General Motors Co and Honda Motor Co will jointly develop hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle systems over the next seven years, the latest alliance in an industrywide effort to cut the cost of the new technology while meeting stricter global emissions rules. The two automakers, which announced the partnership on Tuesday, will also develop a refuelling infrastructure that will be crucial for consumer acceptance and the long-term viability of fuel-cell vehicles.
Fuel-cell vehicles are getting renewed attention this year as automakers world-wide race to meet global emissions and fuel economy limits that are set to get tougher over the next 12 years. In the United States, for example, automakers must achieve a corporate average fuel economy of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 across their line-up, a technical measure which translates to 36 mpg or higher in actual driving.