Nissan to create hydrogen fuel cell model

Nissan has announced plans to create a hydrogen fuel cell model (FCV) within the next five years, in order to compete with new models from rivals Toyota and Honda.

The company has already topped worldwide zero-emissions scale charts with the Nissan Leaf and plans to introduce its own full cell vehicle into the market before 2021. The news was divulged in an interview between Ghosn and Automotive News at the Tokyo Motor Show and is the first time FCVs have been indicated as a possibility for the Nissan brand.

While it has confirmed plans are in place, Nissan has maintained that there is no rush to produce and complete the FCV, as it has only recently released a successful electric vehicle (EV), with a second generation confirmed to be in the making.

The longterm 2021 deadline reflects Renault Nissan Alliance CEO Carlos Ghon’s opinion that the technology is still too young to be viable for car buyers, thus the company has decided to take its time on producing the product.

The FCV is expected to be developed by Mercedes Benz owner Daimler, which already maintains a strong working relationship with Nissan.

In regard to plans for a FCV, Ghosn said: "The only question about fuel cells is, we just think it is too early. We're facing already a problem with the charging infrastructure in electric cars. You can imagine the problem we're going to have with fuel cells.

"I understand that those who don't develop electric cars are more tempted by going fuel cell, and they are in a hurry to put them on the market. We are not in a hurry. Because we already have a zero-emissions solution. We're not on the same time frame because we're not in the same situation."

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