Jostling for power on the best way forward for electric vehicles

Japan and China, are jostling for supremacy in how future electric cars should generate power — from batteries or hydrogen-powered fuel-cells. In a potentially high-stakes clash, the winner could enjoy years of domination if their technology is adopted as a global standard by other manufacturers. 

There should be a place in the car market for both electric battery and hydrogen fuel-cell cars. The key question is which will power more mainstream cars — the market dominated today by the likes of Toyota, General Motors, and Volkswagen.

“We’re reaching a crossroads,” says James Chao, Shanghai-based Asia-Pacific managing director for industry consultant IHS Automotive. “It’s difficult to exaggerate the significance of the choice between batteries and hydrogen.