Visitors to the Tokyo motor show last week were dazzled with an array of fuel cell concept cars designed to show the industry's clean future.

Leading the way was the Honda FCX Concept, which is the world's first commercially available hydrogen fuel cell car

And Honda's head of fuel cell development, Youzo Kami, told the Telegraph that he has more plans for the development of fuel cell vehicles, so that he can ensure they become the vehicles of choice in the future.

He revealed proposals to transform Japan's fifth-largest island, Yakushima, into a large testing area for the fuel cell project, thereby allowing for the greater development of hydrogen fuel cells and the vehicles that can use them.

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz is continuing its development of vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells and already has 100 A-Class fuel cell test vehicles on the road. The company announced at the Tokyo show that it expects "production maturity" of its fuel cell vehicles to be reached "between 2012 and 2015".

Mercedes also revealed at the event that it will be selling diesel powered vehicles in Japan, thanks to its Bluetec urea exhaust treatment which means its diesel vehicles can meet the strict emissions standards applied in the country.


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