On February 28th, news broke that Japanese automakers, while showing little interest in full electric vehicles, have been investing heavily in hydrogen technology. Toyota is a prominent player in this field, and both Honda and Nissan have also revealed plans in this direction.
Previously, Honda announced its intention to release a hydrogen fuel cell-powered version of the CR-V in 2024. Recently, the official images of this vehicle have finally been released, showcasing its design and features.
The hydrogen fuel version of the CR-V stands out from its gasoline counterparts with a fresh front-end design. The hexagonal grille is removed, replaced by a smaller upper grille opening and a larger lower grille. Additionally, it sports a brand-new front bumper, giving it a sportier appearance.
The side and rear of the car remain largely unchanged, still resembling the gasoline version. It doesn't stand out as notably different just because it's a hydrogen fuel cell car. However, unlike a gasoline car, this vehicle features an external charging port on the left front fender and a hydrogen refueling port at the left rear.
The interior design is quite similar to that of traditional fuel-powered vehicles, with the overall layout remaining largely unchanged. It retains an ample number of physical buttons and knobs, while also incorporating a button-style electronic gear lever, resulting in a very tidy area.
It's worth mentioning that due to the need to install the hydrogen tank, the trunk space of this car has been greatly encroached upon, resulting in a significant step.
While Honda has tried to reclaim some space by digging an additional storage compartment underneath, this setup is not very friendly for loading large luggage items and aesthetically, it's not very pleasing either. It's fair to say that there's been quite a compromise.
It's been reported that the vehicle will be equipped with an e-FUEL CELL fuel cell system jointly developed by General Motors. Unlike traditional hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, it not only requires hydrogen refueling but also supports external charging. This allows owners to recharge at home using charging stations, alleviating anxiety caused by the current shortage of hydrogen refueling stations.
