China will develop a hydrogen energy development strategy and study the possibility of including and supporting hydrogen internal combustion engines, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said on August 10.
The MIIT said it will further evaluate the adaptability and variability of the current standards system in light of the technological advances and applications of hydrogen engines.
The MIIT said it will plan ahead with the preparatory research and development of relevant standards and promote the development of much-needed standards to support the rational development of hydrogen vehicles.
China's hydrogen production increased by 25 percent year-over-year in the first half of this year, the proportion of hydrogen produced using new energy sources increased by 30 percent year-over-year, and the cost dropped by 50 percent in four years, according to the Hydrogen Energy Industry Promotion Association.
Hybrids and hydrogen vehicles should play a more important role in the automotive industry's electrification transition, Toyota executives previously said.
Sinopec, which has the largest hydrogen production capacity in China, has announced that it wants to build 1,000 hydrogen refueling stations in the next five years.
Dongfeng Motor previously unveiled its hydrogen energy brand Hydrogen Boat and its fuel-cell passenger car, the e-H2.
Great Wall Motor says its C-class hydrogen fuel cell SUV will be launched this year with a range of 840km.
While hydrogen energy is growing rapidly, there are also calls in the media to be wary of duplication in hydrogen energy construction.
The amount of fuel cell-related capacity planned in China far exceeds market capacity, increasing the risk of overcapacity, according to an article published by the official media Economic Daily on August 8.
China's first hydrogen refueling station with hydrogen production starts trial operation
