PEM Fuel Cell Technology gets Japanese Government support - Hydrogen Gas Stations Coming in First World and Developing World Countries

“……a select way, in short-range vehicles that take you that extra mile...But for long-range travel primary vehicles, we feel there are better alternatives, such as hybrids and plug-in hybrids, and tomorrow with fuel cells”

CEO of Toyota's North American Region Jim Lentz in an interview with Automotive News on the future of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Looks like the love affair with All-Electric Vehicles is now on its death bed! Tesla Motors, you might want to take note of this, as All-Electrics may not get US Government support after all or their SuperCharger Stations!

After the lackluster response of the Japanese Public to All-Electric Vehicles that require frequent recharging, the Government of Japan has decided to push forward with Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles as stated in “Japan putting 'full weight' of government behind fuel-cell Vehicles”, published May 28, 2014 10:20 PM PDT by Brooke Crothers, CNET News.

Good to note at this point that Hyundai had launched a 2014 Hyundai Tucson in November 2014 that uses PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) and is powered by Liquid Hydrogen as stated in my blog article entitled “2014 Hyundai Tucson SUV to be launched as world's first mass Produced Hydrogen Vehicle - PEM Fuel Cells using Water is The Best Man Holiday for the Hydrogen Economy”.

Not one to wait on their Government to support their efforts at widespread shift towards Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology, Toyota already has plans for such a Vehicle that has a range of 600km (about 373 miles) as stated in “Japan aiming to become forerunner in fuel-cell cars”, published May 29, 2014 3:41 am JST, Nikkei Asian Review.

Journeys from Tokyo to Osaka will become mainstream and is a goal to which Toyota has committed itself to achieving by Fiscal Year ending March 2015, around the same time Honda plans to also debut its Hydrogen Fuel Cell offerings.

PEM Fuel Cell Technology gets Japanese Government support - Hydrogen Gas Stations Coming

GM and an alliance of other automakers including Ford, Dailmer AG and Nissan Motors have been working on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Range Extender Technology for deployment by 2017 as stated in my blog article entitled “Ford, Dailmer AG and Nissan Motors Develope All-Electric Vehicles powered by Hydrogen Fuel Cell Range Extender Technology - Fast and the Furious 6 Open Architecture Ender's Game for Hydrogen”.

So this isn't really News and in fact may merely be an extension of those previous announcements like those of GM (General Motors). GM has been collaborating with Honda on Hydrogen Fuel cells they are currently testing in their fleet of Vehicles “GM puts 3 million miles on hydrogen fuel cell test fleet”, published May 12th 2014 9:58AM by Danny King, Green Auto Blog, with plans for commercialization by 2020.

What's new here is that it's the Japanese Government supporting the move away from All-Electric Fuel Cell Technology such as the 2013 Nissan Leaf as described in my blog article entitled “Nissan Debuts the 2013 Nissan Leaf - 228 km range good for commute to The House at the End of the Street" to Hydrogen Powered Vehicles”.

As part of that support, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will allow hydrogen tanks to be filled to 875 atm, an increase of 175 atm from the previous safety level of 700 atm. This will boost Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle range to about 20% without refuelling.

After all, I must admit, the selling point of any Vehicles is really range. Range Anxiety is a very real problem that many drivers have when it comes to committing to All-Electric Vehicles, as when they run out of charge, you can only move if you can get your Vehicle recharged.

If Li-Ion Batteries in All-Electric Vehicles are anything like Batteries in a Smartphone, then drivers have every right to be worried. However, with the coming commercialization of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles from Toyota by 2015 and GM by 2020, expect more First World and Developed World countries to support Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles.

Developing World Countries like Jamaica will start feeling the trickle-down effect by 2020 as First World Countries start throwing away All-Electric Vehicles in favour of Hydrogen fuel Cell Vehicles!