Japan Is at Odds With Elon Musk Over Hydrogen Fuel Cells
- Tokyo Olympics in 2020 seen as showcase for hydrogen products
- Government aims for 1.4 million home fuel cells in 3 years
Hydrogen tanks before being installed to a Toyota Motor Corp. Mirai fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) in Japan on Oct. 13, 2016.
Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Elon Musk may think hydrogen-powered vehicles are rubbish, but Toyota Motor Corp. and a cadre of Japan’s leading manufacturers are betting otherwise -- and not just on cars.
With the blessing of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Toyota is at the forefront of Japan’s efforts to use hydrogen and fuel cells to power cars, heat homes and keep factories running. Other companies pursuing the technology include Panasonic Corp., Toshiba Corp. and JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp.