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VW Skeptical about Fuel Cell Cars
The head of Volkswagen AG operations in Japan tells Bloomberg News that fuel cell-powered vehicles aren't likely to gain acceptance outside Japan, at least not without huge government incentives.
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The head of Volkswagen AG operations in Japan tells Bloomberg News that fuel cell-powered vehicles aren't likely to gain acceptance outside Japan, at least not without huge government incentives.
Shigeru Shoji notes that Japan is offering subsidies as great as $28,500 per fuel-cell car sold there. Toyota Motor Corp., which is preparing to market its $69,000 Mirai fuel-cell sedan next April, concedes such hydrogen-fueled powertrains aren't likely to become widespread anytime soon.
Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has touted his vision of a hydrogen-based society for the country and has lavished funding to support development work. But a skeptical Shoji says fuel-cell cars remain an unlikely option because of their high cost and a global lack of hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
Bloomberg notes that the global auto industry is becoming increasingly divided about which "green" technologies are the most viable. Hybrid powertrains are a popular option at the moment, with companies showing mixed enthusiasm for all-electric systems.
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