Toyota, Shell Among Giants Betting $10.7 Billion on Hydrogen

  • Auto and oil companies among 13 members of hydrogen council
  • Toyota sees fuel cells as more acceptable among consumers
Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg
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Toyota Motor Corp. and four of its biggest car-making peers are joining oil and gas giants including Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Total SA with plans to invest a combined 10 billion euros ($10.7 billion) in hydrogen-related products within five years.

In all, 13 energy, transport and industrial companies are forming a hydrogen council to consult with policy makers and highlight its benefits to the public as the world seeks to switch from dirtier energy sources, according to a joint statement issued from Davos, Switzerland. The wager demonstrates that batteries aren’t the only way to reduce pollution from cars, homes and utilities that are contributing to climate change.