New hydrogen fuel stations open in Japan

Air Liquide celebrates the opening of two new fuel stations in Japan

Air Liquide, a producer of industrial gases, has announced the completion of two new hydrogen fuel stations in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture. The stations are located in the cities of Nogoya and Toyota and serve to further bolster Japan’s emerging hydrogen fuel infrastructure. These are the first hydrogen stations that have been made available to the public in both of these cities and will support the adoption of fuel cell vehicles.

Joint venture builds new fueling stations that will support fuel cell vehicles

The stations were built through a collaborative venture between Air Liquide Japan and Toyota Tsusho Corp. The joint venture, called Toyotsu Air Liquide Hydrogen Energy, was responsible for developing the stations and the technology they would use to operate. Air Liquide was responsible for installing the hydrogen production technologies that these stations use, drawing from its extensive experience in the production of hydrogen fuel and other such gases.

A growing hydrogen infrastructure could help in the fight against climate change

The new fuel stations have already won praise as environmentally friendly solutions to transportation issues. During an opening ceremony held for the stations, French Minister of Finance and Public Accounts Michel Sapin noted that these stations would help contribute to the fight against climate change. Japan has been showing strong support for hydrogen fuel in recent years, hoping that fuel cells can reduce reliance on nuclear energy and fossil-fuels. New hydrogen stations are part of the government’s overarching initiative to launch a hydrogen society.

A hydrogen society is beginning to take form in Japan

A hydrogen society is one in which the majority of the society’s energy is supplied through the use of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Fuel cells have long been common in certain industrial sectors, but they are beginning to become more popular for residential energy and transportation. By distancing itself from fossil-fuels, Japan intends to become more environmentally friendly and help mitigate the impact of climate change. Nuclear energy has also fallen out of favor with the Japanese government because of the risks it poses to public safety.