Auto Manufacturers Plan Hydrogen Fueling Network In Japan

Honda, Nissan and Toyota partner on effort to support construction of hydrogen stations throughout Japan.

TOKYO July 7, 2015 NACSonline reported that while talk is growing about the bright future of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV), for them to succeed, it will be essential to have an adequate fueling infrastructure in place. While automakers have begun undertaking campaigns to build electric-car charging infrastructure around the world, the much higher cost of hydrogen fueling stations makes similar efforts more difficult.

Now, Japan’s largest auto manufacturers – Honda, Nissan, and Toyota – have announced their joint effort to support the construction of new hydrogen fueling stations throughout Japan, in support of the country’s strong and continuing commitment to fuel-cell cars as part of its "Hydrogen Economy" vision.

In a joint statement released last week, the three companies discussed details of the effort, which was first announced this spring. The car companies’ plans include underwriting some of the operating costs incurred by the infrastructure companies that build the fueling stations. They will also cover a third of operational expenses for stations in the program, with a cap of about $90,000 per station.

To qualify for the financial support, station operators will have to reapply for funding each fiscal year, but so far the carmakers haven't indicated whether there will be a limit on how many stations will receive support.

Currently, the program is intended to remain in place “until FCVs become well-established in the market and the development of hydrogen station infrastructure is well underway," according to the joint statement, estimating that date would be around 2020.

This new hydrogen infrastructure project will unfold alongside enormous efforts by the Japanese government to promote fuel cells for a variety of uses to power not only cars, but homes and office buildings as well.

For more on the potential of hydrogen fueling in the United States, read the NACS magazine article, “Fuel for Thought.”