Japan H2 Mobility, LLC established by eleven companies to accelerate deployment of hydrogen stations in Japan

TORONTO, ONTARIO, March 5, 2018 - The 11 companies mentioned below have today announced the joint establishment of "Japan H₂ Mobility, LLC (hereinafter JHyM)", aimed at the full-fledged development of hydrogen stations for fuel cell vehicles (FCV) in Japan.

The newly formed JHyM will foster the deployment of hydrogen stations throughout Japan under the guidance of the Japanese Central Government's Ministerial Council on Renewable Energy, Hydrogen and Related Issues ("Basic Hydrogen Strategy" published on December 26, 2017). In alignment with Central Government policies, the 11 founding companies joined forces to create the world's first framework in which not only infrastructure developers and automakers, but also investors are involved in collaboration, based on the common belief in the effectiveness of hydrogen and FCV for mobility and continued sustainable societal development.

To tackle the key issues raised during the beginning stage of FCV promotion, JHyM will ensure that infrastructure developers, automakers, and investors each do their part to support the successful strategic deployment of hydrogen stations in Japan, promoting effective operation, and facilitating a positive cycle of improved convenience for FCV users. The ultimate goal of JHyM is to smoothly increase the number of FCVs on the road in Japan, and thus to sustainably build the hydrogen station business.

JHyM will take on the following specific initiatives:

1. Strategic deployment of hydrogen stations

• While taking into account subsidies from the national government and initiatives of local governments, the new company will develop its own original "Hydrogen Station Deployment Plan," in order to create an environment in which many users can enjoy driving fuel cell vehicles in Japan.
• Wider participation than its initial member companies is to be sought to ensure completion of the target deployment plan.

2. Contribution to efficient hydrogen station operation

By collecting and utilizing information regarding the construction and operation of hydrogen stations through infrastructure developers, which will oversee operations of hydrogen stations, the new company, which will deploy and own stations nationwide, will contribute to efficient operations and other road map objectives in the following ways:

• Improvement of convenience for FCV users

In order to encourage customers to use hydrogen, JHyM will improve the convenience of stations, coordinating with the Association of Hydrogen Supply and Utilization Technology (HySUT), an industrial association of hydrogen station developers, for example, by extending the number of service days per week to meet increased demand.

• Cost reduction and regulation review

JHyM will collaborate with external organizations, such as the Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan (FCCJ) and HySUT, to reduce cost by addressing issues such as the standardization of equipment and revision of regulations.