The decision by Toyota Motors to release 5,680 fuel cell technology patents free of charge late last year prompted the interest of the Thai delegation led by Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Minister of Science and Technology to visit Toyota City at Nagoya, Japan. The visit provide an opportunity for Thai researchers and senior administrators from the ministry, public and private sector to understand the reasoning behind this bold move by Toyota and also to explore ways in which Thailand can benefit from this initiative such as research collaboration, training, and personnel exchanges.
Hydrogen fuel cell technology holds promise as the next important advance in automotive technology. Advertised as “emissions-free”, fuel cell vehicles can deliver greater range than current battery electric vehicles, and refueling takes about the same amount of time as refilling a tank with conventional gasoline or diesel. The only current challenge for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is in the setting up of infrastructure such as fueling station.
