Earlier this year in Europe, 13 companies joined forces to create the Hydrogen Council, a global initiative to discuss and promote the use of hydrogen as a renewable source of energy.
In the United States, GM and Honda have partnered up to build a production plant in Michigan that will roll out next-generation propulsion systems for fuel-cell vehicles.
While hydrogen fuel-cell cars are now being sold globally, in very small numbers, the lack of hydrogen fueling infrastructure is a reality the industry still has to face.
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Now a group of 11 Japanese firms will tackle that challenge head-on.
A consortium that includes automotive giants Honda, Nissan, and Toyota has signed a memorandum of understanding on a collaboration to help expand the fuel-cell market in Japan more rapidly than it has to date.
The agreement stems from Japan’s “Strategic Roadmap for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.”
![Hydrogen station in Amagasaki City, Japan Hydrogen station in Amagasaki City, Japan](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/hydrogen-station-in-amagasaki-city-japan_100500188_l.jpg)
Hydrogen station in Amagasaki City, Japan
That policy aims to have 160 additional hydrogen fueling stations installed across Japan by 2020, and 40,000 fuel-cell vehicles on the roads that same year.
Other firms involved include JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy, Tokyo Gas, Development Bank of Japan, Idemitsu Kosan, Toho Gas, Air Liquide Japan, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and Iwatani Corporation.
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Each firm will have a specific role to play within the alliance, with a common goal of mainstreaming hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.
For instance, companies specialized in infrastructure will build and operate new fueling stations.
![Toyota Mirai showroom and hydrogen fueling station, Tokyo, Japan, May 2015 Toyota Mirai showroom and hydrogen fueling station, Tokyo, Japan, May 2015](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/toyota-mirai-showroom-and-hydrogen-fueling-station-tokyo-japan-may-2015_100511575_l.jpg)
Toyota Mirai showroom and hydrogen fueling station, Tokyo, Japan, May 2015
Automakers will do what they do best: promote and sell the vehicles as well as help to support the network of hydrogen stations.
Sometime this year, the joint venture should result in the creation of a company that will oversee the installation and the operation of the new stations.
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Other companies will be expected to join the effort as well as the emerging market of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles starts to flourish under the plan.
As for the Hydrogen Council, its members—including a number of automakers—say they will collectively invest more than $1 billion per year to help accelerate the development of fuel-cell technology and fueling infrastructure in Europe.
— Sabrina Giacomini
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