Air Liquide opens "Motomiya Interchange Hydrogen Station" in Motomiya, Fukushima Prefecture, for promotion of fuel cell commercial trucks

Air Liquide announces the completion of construction of the "Motomiya Interchange Hydrogen Station" (hereinafter referred to as "Motomiya IC HRS") in Motomiya, Fukushima Prefecture, and holds the inauguration event today.

The station is located close to the Motomiya Interchange of Tohoku Express Highway, where logistic industries are clustered, at the gate of the Tohoku region. With plans to deploy 60 fuel cell trucks in Fukushima Prefecture through the efforts of Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation, and the demand of hydrogen mobility.

Constructed in the center of the Nakadori area of Fukushima, Motomiya IC HRS is built on the largest site to date for a station operated by Air Liquide Japan, equipped with two hydrogen dispensers, and designed for the convenience of large commercial vehicles. With the introduction of a dual-lane filling facility, the station will be able to operate continuously by alternating periodic maintenance. It is scheduled to be open 24/7 all year round by the fall of this year.

Motomiya IC HRS is an "off-site" type, where compressed hydrogen is transported by tube trailer from off-site hydrogen supply sources. Renewable energy-based hydrogen produced at Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R) in Namie Town, Fukushima will be one of the supply source options. The construction of Motomiya IC HRS is supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Fukushima Prefecture.

Motomiya IC HRS is part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Air Liquide, ITOCHU Corporation and ITOCHU ENEX, and is attached to an existing fleet station owned and operated by Enex Fleet Corporation, an Itochu Enex Group company, aiming to provide fuel cell truck users with a wide range of services.

The inauguration event was held in the presence of METI, the Vice Governor of Fukushima Prefecture, the Mayor of Motomiya City, the Vice President of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), and representatives from each partner.

Ilyong Park, Chairman and CEO, Air Liquide Japan stated: “Air Liquide is committed to contributing to the energy transition and low-carbon society, and the promotion of hydrogen mobility is one of our major pillars. We are very pleased to be a part of this movement in Fukushima Prefecture, where the use of hydrogen is accelerating in the public and private sectors, including fuel cell commercial vehicles. We will continue to contribute to the sustainability of the Japanese society by leveraging the Air Liquide Group's global experience in the hydrogen business, in cooperation with our partners, and with the support of the Japanese government and local governments.”

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