Title: The deployment of fuel cell electric vehicles in Japan: revolution or transition?

Authors: Michaël Fernandez

Addresses: Laboratoire Pacte/IEP, BP 48-38040 Grenoble cedex 9, France

Abstract: This paper aims to discuss the revolutionary character of integrating hydrogen into the transport and mobility sectors. While the fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) often appears as a disruptive technological application, its deployment seems to rely on the ability of supporting policies to initiate a course of transition. To study this issue, the paper focuses on the Japanese program, its goals and hindrances. Examining some theoretical approaches, it attempts to analyse different potential drawbacks linked to the disruptive nature of FCEVs and then to study how overcome these obstacles.

Keywords: Japan; hydrogen society; fuel cell electric vehicle; FCEV; hydrogen; disruptive innovation; evolutive innovation; eternally emerging technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2020.108587

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2020 Vol.20 No.2, pp.178 - 195

Received: 23 Sep 2019
Accepted: 16 Dec 2019
Published online: 20 Jul 2020 *

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