Toyota, Nissan and Honda Motor are collaborating with seven other companies (JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy, Idemitsu Kosan Co, Iwatani Corporation, Tokyo Gas Co, Toho Gas Co, Air Liquide Japan, Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Development Bank of Japan) towards setting up hydrogen stations for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) in Japan.

The MoU inked by the 11 firms aims to accelerate construction of hydrogen stations in the current early stage of FCV commercialisation using an ‘all-Japan’ approach centered on collaboration among the 11 companies. It stems from the Japanese government's ‘Strategic Roadmap for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells’ which targets a total of 160 operational hydrogen stations and 40,000 in-use FCVs by fiscal 2020.

Recognising the challenges facing the hydrogen station business in early-stage commercialisation of FCVs, the MoU says the 11 companies should cooperate to achieve the strategic development of hydrogen stations for maximising FCV demand and to contribute to the steady popularization of FCVs.

A new company to be set up this year will aim to achieve steady construction of hydrogen stations and also wider use of FCVs and the independence of the hydrogen station business through activities for reducing costs.