Fuel cell hopes light the way for Japan refiners

  • 07/06/2001

The technology may be not long off the drawing board, but Japan's oil giants are already investing large amounts of money and hope in fuel cells, which promise pollution-free power for everything from cars to fridges. High development costs and technological difficulties mean the strategy is not without risks, but with Japan's fuel cell market expected to be worth eight trillion yen ($66.7 billion) within 20 years, the costs of being left out are greater.