General Motors, Honda and BMW in agreement on fuel cells, hydrogen development

Fri 08 April 2005 View all news

General Motors, Honda and BMW have agreed to jointly develop technologies for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and vehicles equipped with hydrogen-powered engines.

According to Japan's Daily Yomiuri newspaper, the link-up will heighten competition among carmakers developing fuel cell vehicles.

The three automakers will initially cooperate in trying to develop the technologies required to safely supply extremely low-temperature liquid hydrogen to vehicles, which will be kept at minus 250 degC or less.

Sophisticated technologies will be required to ensure the airtightness of fuel tanks and related equipment and to control the amount of hydrogen supplied.

The three companies aim to standardize fuel nozzles, filler necks and other related components to establish a safe hydrogen supply system.

Daily Yomiuri reports that as it is likely that the link-up will set future international standards for fuel cell vehicles, it is expected that Toyota and other automakers may join the project.

Fuel Cell Today reports a story from Japan's The Asahi Shimbun that Toyota and General Motors have failed to reach agreement on plans to establish a joint-venture to promote hydrogen fuel cell development.

Earlier this year, the Financial Times reported that Toyota and GM were in discussions about building a joint factory to make hydrogen-powered car engines.

According to The Asahi Shimbun, the two companies still plan to extend technological cooperation on fuel cells which is scheduled to end in 2006. 

Related Links

Daily Yomiuri news link (via WBSCD website)
Fuel Cell Today news link
Financial Times news link (May 05)



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