DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi push the methanol fuel cell
DWV/HyWeb, 00-12-08: DaimlerChrysler Japan and Nippon Mitsubishi Oil Co., the greatest Japanese energy supplier, will jointly promote the use of fuel cell cars in Japan and clarify matters of fuel infrastructure. Nippon Mitsubishi hat 29 public "Eco Filling Stations" in Japan, offering electric power, natural gas, methanol, and LPG. DaimlerChrysler tests methanol, hydrogen, and a purified gasoline as fuel for fuel cell vehicles. Such cars will tested in Japan under normal operating conditions. The first fuel cell test car will use methanol as fuel. A DaimlerChrysler press release said, however, that the project idea includes the investigation of further fuels as well. A detailed plan, including the exact number of test vehicles and the program schedule, is now being worked out by both parties (HyWeb, 00-04-18).
According to a Reuters story of November 7, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. has announced that it may develop fuel cell
vehicles together with DaimlerChrysler. DaimlerChrysler had taken a 34% stake in Mitsubishi earlier this year. "We will be beginning work on cooperative projects with DaimlerChrysler, and the development of fuel cells will be under discussion," Mitsubishi Motors said in a statement.
Methanol producer Methanex Corp. has formed a strategic alliance with Mitsubishi Corp. and Mitsui & Co. to promote the use of methanol in environment-friendly fuel-cell vehicles in Japan. The companies say they will work with governments and the private sector "to address any potential regulatory hurdles and encourage the initiation of
methanol-based fuel-cell vehicle demonstration programs," according to a joint release published end of November.
Vancouver-based Methanex, the world's largest producer and marketer of methanol, expects Japan to become one of the first countries to widely introduce automotive fuel cells. The company is already a partner of DaimlerChrysler in other methanol directed projects in Canada.
DWV/MA
hydrogen.org ... original link
The news letter of HyWeb and the German Hydrogen Association (DWV) · 4th Quarter 2000 – 4th Year ã L-B-Systemtechnik GmbH |
