11.3.2003
GM receives approval to drive a liquid hydrogen vehicle in Japan

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) granted GM the first-ever approval to drive a liquid hydrogen-fueled vehicle on public roads in Japan.

With the highest driving range of any fuel cell vehicle approved for public roads in Japan -- 400 kilometer (250 mile) -- GM's HydroGen3 will be the first to drive on Japanese streets using liquid hydrogen as its fuel. Beginning in June, FedEx will operate the HydroGen3 several days a week on its regular delivery routes in Tokyo. GM will collect data from FedEx, and will provide all vehicle engineering and maintenance.

HydroGen3 also received the first-ever approval for a liquid hydrogen storage system for vehicle use from the High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan (KHK).
HydroGen3, based on the Zafira MPV minivan, is GM's first entry in the Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project, which is being directed by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The fuel cell vehicle has a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour) and stores up to 4.6 kilograms of liquid hydrogen at -253 C onboard.