Japan may miss hydrogen fuel station expansion target, Reuters says
Japan will likely fail to reach its target of having 100 hydrogen fueling stations operating by March 2016 because just 76 have been approved after a deadline to apply for subsidies expired in March, the news agency said in a report published April 14.
Japan had set aside US$245 million over the past three years to subsidize the construction and operation of fueling stations by March 2016, it added. However only 32 have been recently approved which add to 44 that were approved previously so it is not likely that the goal will be reached, it added.
The only fuel-cell car on the road is the Mirai, launched in December by Toyota. Honda Motor plans to introduce another fuel cell car within a year.
“When contacted by Reuters, an official of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said the government will consider whether to increase the subsidy to prod companies to set up the stations,” the report said.
