Japanese car-makers join forces for hydrogen roll-out

Japan's three biggest car-makers have agreed to jointly support the rollout of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in their domestic market.

Toyota, Nissan and Honda yesterday committed to key details of a new joint-venture project to support the development of a network of hydrogen stations in Japan.

In addition to "partially covering the operating costs of hydrogen stations", the three Japanese car-makers have also agreed to help infrastructure companies "deliver the best possible customer service and create a convenient, hassle-free refuelling network" for owners of fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCVs).

First announced on February 12, the joint project will be conducted alongside the Japanese government's support for hydrogen stations

Japan's 'big three' car companies say they will also promote awareness of FCEVs and the country's hydrogen infrastructure "in order to encourage new companies to enter the hydrogen supply business".

In June 2014, the Japanese government unveiled its Strategic Road Map for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, which involves subsidising the construction of hydrogen stations and reviewing regulations.

Financial assistance of up to a third of expenditure will be provided through the Research Association of Hydrogen Supply/Utilization Technology (HySUT).

Specifically, the joint-venture aims to improve the convenience of hydrogen stations in Japan by developing hydrogen station infrastructure that is easy to access, increasing the number of days they are open, extending their business hours, and enhancing and providing operational information.

"For FCVs to gain popularity, creating attractive products is only half of the equation," said the car-makers in a joint statement.

"Hydrogen station infrastructure must also be developed to ensure ease-of-use for customers; however, infrastructure companies face difficulties constructing and operating hydrogen stations. FCVs are a new entry into the market, and hydrogen station revenues are expected to remain low due to the limited number of cars currently on the road.

"Through this project, the three automakers plan to steadily support hydrogen station infrastructure from a medium-term perspective, until FCVs become well established in the market and the development of hydrogen station infrastructure is well underway (potentially around 2020)."

Toyota launched the world's first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the Mirai, late last year and will make it available in Japan and the US later this year. It announced yesterday the Mirai will offer a driving range of up to 502km between refills.

While the infrastructure needed to fuel hydrogen cars is in its infancy in Japan, Europe and the US, Toyota is so keen to push FCEV tech in the US that it will offer a free hire car for three years to anyone who complains a 502km range is not enough.

According to industry pundits, Toyota is proud of the Mirai’s 502km range because it beats the maximum 434km claimed range for the Tesla Model S 85D.

It’s believed Toyota and Tesla have fallen out following the American electric car-maker’s CEO, Elon Musk, declared Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technology as “fool cells”.

Making the comments last January, Musk declared Toyota’s decision to invest in hydrogen power as “extremely silly”.

Meantime, Honda has announced its plan to bring an FCEV to market before April 2016 and Nissan is also planning to market an FCEV as early as 2017.

In Europe, BMW has committed to releasing its first FCEV by 2020, while Audi and Mercedes-Benz have also promised hydrogen-powered customer vehicles by the end of the decade.

Last October, a consortium of companies including Daimler and gas supplier Linde announced plans to establish 13 new hydrogen refuelling facilities in Germany before the end of 2015, taking the total to 50 this year. By 2023, the network of hydrogen stations in Germany is projected to hit 400.

Korean giant Hyundai has also flagged its enthusiasm for FCEVs and opened Australia's first hydrogen refuelling station in Sydney in April.

Hyundai hopes its actions will spark debate about hydrogen with government and industry, eventually leading to the establishment of a nationwide refuelling network and the widespread availability of FCEVs at an affordable price. But it admits that could take 20 years to happen in Australia.