GM Doesn’t Think Hydrogen Is The Bomb Anymore

General Motors announced today that it is getting out of the hydrogen fuel cell game.

The automaker, which has been developing the technology under its Hydrotec brand for more than a decade, is canceling work on next-generation systems.

GM was working on the zero emissions power systems with a wide range of applications, including a collaboration with Komatsu to build a two-megawatt mining dump truck.

“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,” GM said in a news releaase.

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“High costs and limited hydrogen infrastructure in the U.S. has limited consumer adoption of fuel cell-powered vehicles. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, only 61 hydrogen refueling stations exist nationwide, compared to more than 250,000 level 2 or faster electric vehicle charging locations.”

Fuel Cell System Manufacturing LLC, a joint venture with Honda located in Brownstown, Mich., will continue its operations. The company produces fuel cells for the Honda CR-V e:FCEV and data center generators.

Among the most interesting Hydrotec-powered prototype vehicles proposed by GM was the Surus truck platform. The skateboard-style vehicle was envisioned to be equipped with a variety of body types or used as a fully-autonomous shipping container delivery system.

GM Defense also built a fuel cell-powered Silverado ZH2 prototype designed for military purposes.

It wasn’t put into production, but GM Defense does supply the U.S. military with an Infantry Squad Vehicle based on the Chevrolet Colorado. ZR2 off-road pickup that’s powered by a diesel engine.

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