Why are hydrogen fuel cars such a draw in Japan?

Though Toyota has made the biggest headlines, other automakers are committing to H2 as well.

Toyota has been outspoken in its passion about hydrogen fuel cars, already having had two versions of its Mirai on the market for several years, but other Japanese automakers have recently collectively agreed to develop their own H2 passenger vehicles.

Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha have all committed to designing H2-powered small vehicles.

That said, there has yet to be any specific mention of hydrogen fuel cars. The interest is certainly there, but this particular agreement is focused on a spectrum of vehicles. Among those that are expected to arise from this agreement include motorcycles, drones and even construction equipment.

Even if fuel cell cars don’t make it into this mix, there are still Japanese automakers already invested in this technology. As aforementioned, Toyota has already released its own models of H2-powered vehicles and its new CEO has confirmed that it will continue to pursue this technology, even as it simultaneously rolls out battery electric vehicles (BEVs). As was reported by Hydrogen Fuel News, the company is also releasing several vehicles in its Crown line this fall, many of which will come in H2-powered versions.

Aside from hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Toyota has also been behind the development of H2 combustion engines, mainly for some of the brand’s racing vehicles.

Why is there such appeal in Japan for hydrogen fuel cars and other vehicles powered by H2?

One substantial motivator for automakers to develop vehicles powered by H2 comes from the Japanese government. This has been the case for several years. As is the situation in Europe, China, and to a smaller extent, the United States, the Japanese government has been calling for an increase in zero-emission passenger vehicles. That said, what has made Japan’s situation different is that in 2017, it also became the first country in the world to have issued a national hydrogen strategy.

Back then, Honda and Toyota both offered hydrogen fuel cars, with Honda selling the Clarity and Toyota with its Mirai. That said, progress in this area has been bumpy, rather than smooth. Honda reached the point that its CEO Toshihiro Mibe said that despite how much work was put into the development of the H2 vehicle, he had doubts about whether this option would ever function as a mainstream transportation solution. However, that statement was made several years ago, before many other countries started making substantial investments into H2.

Collaborating on hydrogen fuel cell cars

Last week, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki jointly released a statement saying that they intended to form HySE (Hydrogen Small Engine), a research association. This would be established along with Toyota helping on the edge to see how some of the tech they develop can be adapted for larger vehicles.

Starting small

The main focus of the new collaboration is unlikely to be hydrogen fuel cars – particularly not at first – though passenger vehicles can only benefit from the technologies that result.

The group also intends to place a focus on H2 combustion technology. Though not as clean as fuel cells, which don’t produce carbon emissions, the goal will be to develop hydrogen combustion alternatives to fossil fuel burning internal combustion engines in order to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, even if they are not entirely eliminated.

Interest in H2 combustion has been rapidly growing of late, particularly as electric vehicles (EVs) have been becoming rapidly more popular and their drawbacks – such as charging time, lithium demand, and strain on electrical existing grids (which aren’t necessarily green, themselves) – are finding themselves in the spotlight.

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Page 1 of 7

Who discovered the hydrogen element in 1766?

Henry Cavendish Robert Boyle Christian Friedrich Schonbein

Page 2 of 7

What country uses the most hydrogen energy?

united states hydrogen use United States China hydrogen use China Germany hydrogen use Germany

Page 3 of 7

What's the Guinnes World Record for a hydrogen fuel car's mileage range on a single tank of hydrogen?

629 miles 489 miles 845 miles

Page 4 of 7

How many miles of hydrogen pipelines are currently operating in the United States?

300 miles 1600 miles 2800 miles Zero Hydrogen Pipelines

Page 5 of 7

Is a fuel cell car considered to be an electric vehicle?

Yes No

Page 6 of 7

What are the many ways to store hydrogen?

Liquified Salt Caverns Compressed Material based like ammonia All of the above

Page 7 of 7

Which of the following statements best describes why hydrogen is considered non-toxic and dissipates quickly?

Hydrogen is heavier than air, causing it to spread slowly and remain concentrated. Hydrogen is lighter than air, allowing it to rise and disperse rapidly in the atmosphere. Hydrogen is chemically inert, preventing it from reacting with other substances in the air. Hydrogen is soluble in water, making it easy to dissolve and remove from the environment.