Air Liquide opens Japan’s first hydrogen station for fuel cell cabs in partnership with MK Taxi

Air Liquide announces the opening of Japan’s first hydrogen station in collaboration with a taxi operator. Based on the premises of a taxi's multi fuel station in Kobe, it is ideally located to meet the growing demand for hydrogen for heavy-duty vehicles. Launched in partnership with Kobe MK, a taxi company, the station will serve cabs but also buses, commercial vehicles as well as passenger cars. This station is the 18th Air Liquide hydrogen refueling station (HRS) in the country. 

The creation of the new station paves the way for the development of a local taxi fleet. It is part of Kobe MK's target to progressively replace the current hybrid vehicles by electric or electric hydrogen vehicles by 2030. The newly created hydrogen station is located adjacent to Kobe MK’s head office in Kobe, which is also the depot for its taxis operating in Hyogo Prefecture. 

This initiative is in line with the Hyogo Prefecture and Kobe City’s strategy to advance towards a hydrogen society for everyday life and industry, as part of the ambition to realize carbon neutrality in this strategic region. As one of Japan’s five major international trading ports, the Port of Kobe has very heavy traffic, laying the foundations for other mobility applications. Kobe Carbon Neutral Port Council is planning to decarbonize Port Island’s trucks and terminal facilities.

This initiative is also part of Air Liquide’s commitment to the energy transition, by leveraging its 60 years of expertise in hydrogen.

Resulting from the mobilization of an entire ecosystem, this project demonstrates the collaboration between different private and public stakeholders. Air Liquide brings its mastery of the entire hydrogen value chain and provides the hydrogen infrastructure.

Virginie Cavalli, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Liquide Japan, stated: “I am very honored to open the new HRS with support from key stakeholders, including public authorities and leading companies. This demonstrates  Air Liquide  technical and collaborative capabilities to enable low carbon society in Japan. We believe that the new station will contribute to the sustainable development of Kobe City, as it is one of the key strategic areas for transport, paving the way for the future.”