Major domestic carmakers and infrastructure companies have begun an "all-Japan" effort to promote hydrogen as a next-generation energy source for vehicles, as 11 firms formed a consortium Monday to promote the development of hydrogen stations.
The joint entity, Japan H2 Mobility (JHyM), aims to build 80 new hydrogen stations by fiscal 2021. Currently, 101 such stations have been built, are planned or are under construction in Japan.
Monday's step is in tandem with the government's drive to make hydrogen energy and zero-emission fuel cell vehicles key technologies in its bid to become a world leader amid the global shift toward a carbon-free society.