To "showcase Japan’s advanced technology to the world," the Tokyo metropolitan government "plans to use hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) to transport athletes" at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, according to the YOMIURI SHIMBUN. The metropolitan government "plans to set up a strategic council this month, comprised of officials from automakers and others to start a full-scale study on the project using hydrogen -- dubbed the ultimate clean energy." FCVs run on a motor powered by electricity generated from a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Toyota and Honda "aim to be the first automakers in the world to sell FCVs to general users," beginning in '15. They are also "working on the development of fuel-cell buses" with plans to roll them out for practical use in '16. However, the price of an FCV is expected to be about ¥10M ($97,970), and supply stations "will be established only in large city areas." Under such circumstances, "it is unclear how widely the use of FCVs will spread" (YOMIURI SHIMBUN, 5/5).
