Japan to increase hydrogen stations for FCVs

The Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan said it plans to increase hydrogen stations for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) across the country from around 2011 to promote the adoption of the environmentally friendly vehicles. FCVs are powered by electricity generated by the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, and do not emit carbon dioxide. Since FCVs provide a promising means of carbon-free transport, the organization said it is willing to develop a network of hydrogen stations with financial assistance from the government. It also plans to develop a set of industrial standards for hydrogen filling stations for fuel cell cars. These standards will be crafted by 12 members of the private-sector consortium, which includes automakers Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. as well as others with a connection to the business of fuel cell cars, like Nippon Oil Corp. and Tokyo Gas Co. Industrial standards will help lower the cost of equipment development and thereby promote the commercialization of hydrogen filling stations. Test operation of the stations will begin in 2010, and once safety has been verified, the consortium will push for a loosening of the regulations. Japanese automakers have been accelerating development of FCVs. Honda Motor Co. is planning to introduce FCVs for leasing in November this year. (July 4/5, 2008)