LEADIN:

Toyota gave the automotive industry a hydrogen-powered kick at the International CES event in Las Vegas.

The Japanese car manufacturers announced they're set to make available thousands of hydrogen fuel cell patents royalty-free, in a bid to encourage the industry.

Toyota's new sporty-looking hydrogen-powered 'Mirai' is the backdrop for the Japanese auto makers press event at the International CES in Las Vegas.

Bob Carter, who is Senior Vice President of automotive operations at Toyota, explains the mechanics of the vehicle.

"The Toyota Mirai is a mid-sized, four-door sedan - its front wheels are driven by electric motors. The electricity that powers the motors is made on-board, on-demand, as needed by simply combining hydrogen with oxygen, producing zero emissions, other than water vapour."

In the middle of his speech - a moment of drama as the power cut.

"I got you covered," assured Carter, as he connected a wire from the Mirai to re-boot the power in the briefing room and light up a mock-up home on stage.

"This Mirai is capable of supplying enough energy to power your home essentials as well as all of your consumer electronics in an average home for up to a week, in the event of an emergency," explains Carter.

But the high-profile event wasn't about announcing a new vehicle or component, but about giving something away.

In a bid to encourage the hydrogen auto industry to flourish, Carter announced that Toyota is set to invite royalty-free use of approximately 5,680 fuel cell related patents.

That includes critical technologies developed for the new 'Mirai' - which means "the future" in Japanese.

The list includes approximately 1,970 patents related to fuel cell stacks, 290 associated with high-pressure hydrogen tanks, 3,350 related to fuel cell systems' software control and 70 patents related to hydrogen production and supply.

By releasing these patents, Toyota are hoping to encourage the industry to flourish.

"It's obvious that there can be a higher societal value in openly sharing our IP," says Carter.

"By eliminating the traditional corporate boundaries, we can speed the metabolism of everyone's research and development and move into a future of mobility, quicker, more effectively and more economically."

The Toyota executive ended his speech with a quote from former President Abraham Lincoln.

"'The best way to predict the future, is to create it'. And that's what we're doing at Toyota."

Toyota unveiled the 'Mirai' - their first ever hydrogen-powered vehicle - at a press event in Tokyo in November.

The success of the vehicle and other hydrogen cars depends on an infrastructure growing to encourage drivers to buy them.

Other Asian automakers, Honda and Hyundai, are also experimenting with limited sales and leases of fuel cell cars.

Automotive tech is set to be a big talking point at this year's International CES event in Las Vegas.

A variety of self-driving cars and integrated dashboards will demonstrate how seriously the car industry considers putting smart tech into their vehicles.

A record 10 automotive manufacturers are set to exhibit at the event including Toyota, Ford, BMW, Audi and Mercedes.

Automotive exhibits will cover over 165,000 square feet of event space, 17 percent more than last year.

The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will run 6-9 January 2015.

The annual technology event is set to showcase over 3,500 exhibitors including big tech companies like Sony, Samsung and LG.

AP Television

Las Vegas, US - 5 January 2015

1. Various of hydrogen-powered Toyota 'Mirai' vehicle

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bob Carter, Senior Vice President, Toyota Motor Sales, Automotive Operations:

"'The future' is what the 'Mirai' means in Japanese, and it's arriving in October this year in the US. The Toyota Mirai is a mid-sized, four-door sedan - its front wheels are driven by electric motors. The electricity that powers the motors is made on-board, on-demand, as needed by simply combining hydrogen with oxygen, producing zero emissions, other than water vapour. Unlike other electric cars that rely on large batteries for power, this Mirai can be re-fuelled, as the doctor (Michio Kaku) said, in three to five minutes and travels up about 300 miles on a single fill-up. It will start up in the morning at minus 30 degrees Centigrade, below zero, and as many of you have already heard...(power cuts out) Wait just a moment, this happened in rehearsal - I got you covered (connects vehicle to power 'home' on stage). Now, as I was saying, as many of you already know - this Mirai is capable of supplying enough energy to power your home essentials as well as all of your consumer electronics in an average home for up to a week, in the event of an emergency."

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bob Carter, Senior Vice President, Toyota Motor Sales, Automotive Operations:

"Traditionally, intellectual properties are fiercely guarded, because they have great monetary value. But with programmes like the CSRC (Collaborative Safety Research Centre) Steve and our patent announcements today - it's obvious that there can be a higher societal value in openly sharing our IP. By eliminating the traditional corporate boundaries, we can speed the metabolism of everyone's research and development and move into a future of mobility, quicker, more effectively and more economically. Indeed, I believe that today marks a turning point in automotive history. I'm going to close with a quote that captures the idea from President Abraham Lincoln, who said: 'The best way to predict the future, is to create it'. And that's what we're doing at Toyota."

4. Close of screen reading: "Toyota. #ToyotaMirai"

5. Wide of Carter on stage, UPSOUND: (English) "Please accept my thanks for all of you coming and I hope you enjoy CES tomorrow. Good afternoon"; applause

There will only be a few hundred, and they won't be cheap, but Toyota is about to take its first small step into the unproven market for emissions-free, hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The world's largest automaker announced Tuesday that it will begin selling fuel cell cars in Japan on December 15, and in the US and Europe in mid-2015.

The sporty-looking, four-door Toyota Mirai will retail for 6,700,000 yen (57,600 US dollars) before taxes.

Toyota Motor Corp hopes to sell 400 in Japan and 300 in the rest of the world in the first year.

Fuel cell vehicles run on compressed hydrogen gas, which in the Mirai's case is stored in two tanks mounted underneath the vehicle.

They emit no exhaust, though fossil fuels are used in the production of hydrogen and to pressurise it. Both Honda and Hyundai have or are also experimenting with limited sales and leases of fuel cell cars.

Besides the relatively high cost, buyers will have to contend with finding fuel.

Only a few dozen hydrogen filling stations have been built worldwide, though governments are subsidising the construction of more.

It's an uncertain future that depends both on whether makers can bring down the price, and a wide-enough network of filling stations is built.

Sales will be limited to the primarily urban areas that have stations.

In Japan, with about 30 stations, that means the regions around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya cities in central and western Japan and the northern part of Kyushu island in the south.

A few stations have opened in California in the United States, and there are plans to build some in the Northeast. Germany and the United Kingdom are among European countries that have or plan to build them.

The first buyers are expected to be affluent people who are environmental aware, and governments and companies that want to go green.

The Mirai can travel 650 to 700 kilometers (400-435 miles) on its two tanks of hydrogen.

Hydrogen may be more expensive than gas initially, because there are so few customers but, over time, Toyota expects it will be cheaper to run a car on hydrogen than with gas.vehicles a year.

The company's Executive Vice President Mitsuhisa Kato said he was confident "its innovation will surpass the Prius."

Both Honda and Hyundai have or are also experimenting with limited sales and leases of fuel cell cars.

AP TELEVISION

Tokyo - 18 November 2014

1. Toyota's hydrogen-powered car - "Mirai" appearing on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Yoshikazu Tanaka, Toyota Motor Deputy Chief Engineer:

"It is a car of the next century, a car that leads to making a society use hydrogen energy. To realise this concept, we have put in all our advanced technology into the development. As a result, we believe we developed a car that is not only good for the environment, but it is also a vehicle that is fun, quiet, pleasurable and comfortable to drive."

3. Various of Toyota Mirai driving along streets

4. Toyota Motor Executive Vice President Mitsuhisa Kato on stage

5. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Mitsuhisa Kato, Toyota Motor Executive Vice President:

"The FCV (fuel cell vehicle) - if hydrogen energy is once accepted, it will make a great difference in the society. I believe its innovation will surpass the Prius."

6. Logo on car reading (English): "Fuel Cell"

7. Various set up shots of Hans Greimel, auto analyst at Toyota's press conference venue

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Greimel, Asia Editor of Automotive News:

"Well, they often say that the hydrogen fuel cell car is is kind of like the car of the future. But now we finally see the future gradually creeping closer. There hasn't been a lot of effort yet to really make a marketable retail-ready fuel cell car. But here we see Toyota taking a step in that direction where putting of a retail price on a car, which is something that's a little bit new. We're also putting volumes on a car, sales volumes on a car, that's also kind of a new direction. So we're seeing that the fuel cell, hydrogen-powered cars are becoming more of a... creeping closer to reality."

9. Various of exhibited Mirai with open bonnet

10. Fuel Cell logo

JAPAN TOYOTA

SOURCE: AP TELEVISION

RESTRICTIONS: TECHNOLOGY CLIENTS ONLY

LENGTH: 4:22

SHOTLIST:

AP Television

Tokyo, Japan - 17 November 2014

1. Various of Toyota's "Mirai"driving by

AP Television

Tokyo, Japan - 18 November 2014

2. Pan right from media to wide of Mitsuhisa Kato, Toyota Motor Corp Executive Vice President (left) and Yoshikazu Tanaka, Toyota Motor Corp product planning group's Deputy Chief Engineer posing with car

3. Close of Kato and Tanaka

4. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Mitsuhisa Kato, Toyota Motor Corp Executive Vice President:

"The "FCV" - if hydrogen energy is accepted, it will make a great difference in the society. I believe its innovation will surpass the Prius."

AP Television

Tokyo, Japan - 17 November 2014

5. Low shot of Toyota's "Mirai" driving by

AP Television

Tokyo, Japan - 18 November 2014

6. Wide of model showing fuel cell system

7. Close of Fuel filler

8. Pan left of model showing fuel cell system

9. Close of Fuel cell stack

AP Television

Tokyo, Japan - 17 November 2014

10. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Hitoshi Nomasa, Toyota Motor Corp Project Manager of Mirai:

"The fuel cell stack is the heart of this vehicle, and furthermore, the "cell" is the key. Including its reliability, we put much of the effort in reducing the size and maximising the power of the fuel cell stack that had to be installed in an automobile. The mass production technology is also another factor that we focused on and we finally came to this point (of putting it out on the market)."

11. Pan left of Mirai driving by

12. Various of Mirai interior as it drives

13. Wide of Mirai passing by sign reading (English): "JHFC, Japan Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Demonstration Project"

14. Wide of Mirai arriving at hydrogen station pump

15. Various of fuelling process

AP Television

Tokyo, Japan - 18 November 2014

16. Setup shot of Haans Griemel, Asia Editor of Automotive News, speaking with man

17. Close up of Griemel

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Haans Griemel, Asia Editor of Automotive News:

"The most challenging part of this car's roll out is of course the infrastructure. It's kind of a chicken and egg type of a problem. People want to buy the car only if there's an infrastructure, but there won't be the infrastructure unless people are buying the cars. So, that's the biggest hurdle I would say right now, it's just getting a fuelling network up and running so that people aren't afraid to drive this car across the country."

19. Wide of press conference

20. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Yoshikazu Tanaka, Toyota Motor Corp Product Planning Group's Deputy Chief Engineer:

"Our goal for the release in 2015 was originally decided in 2011 when the infrastructure providers, automakers and the government agreed and announced its plan to have the infrastructure ready by year 2015. We timed it - in a way - to synchronise with the similar movement happening in Europe and in America so we went along with that."

21. Close of Mirai's front interior

22. Close of logo reading (English) "FUELCELL"

23. Wide of Mirai

24. Pull focus of Toyota logo

AP Television

Tokyo, Japan - 17 November 2014

25. Low shot of Mirai driving past

LEADIN:

Toyota is about to take its first small step into the unproven market of emissions-free, hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The world's largest automaker has announced it will begin selling a limited number of its fuel cell car - named 'Mirai' - from December in Japan and later in mid-2015 across the US and Europe.

STORYLINE:

It's named the Toyota Mirai and now this sporty-looking four-door is stealing all the attention in Tokyo.

At a press event on Tuesday (18 November), the Japanese car manufacturers unveiled their latest creation to the media.

It's set to retail for 6.7 million yen ($57,600 USD) before taxes.

But if you're hoping to get your hands on you'll have to be quick, Toyota Motor Corp only expect to sell 400 in Japan and 300 in the rest of the world in the first year.

More importantly, it represents a seismic shift for the Japanese automakers, the Mirai is their first emissions-free, hydrogen-powered vehicle.

"The "FCV" - if hydrogen energy is accepted, it will make a great difference in the society," says Mitsuhisa Kato, Toyota Motor Corp's executive vice president.

"I believe its innovation will surpass the Prius."

Fuel cell vehicles run on compressed hydrogen gas, which - in Mirai's case - is stored in two tanks mounted underneath the vehicle.

They emit no exhaust, though fossil fuels are used in the production of hydrogen and to pressurise it.

According to those involved with its creation, the most difficult factor in developing the vehicle was its fuel cell stack.

"The fuel cell stack is the heart of this vehicle, and furthermore, the "cell" is the key," says Hitoshi Nomasa, project manager of Mirai.

"Including its reliability, we put much of the effort in reducing the size and maximising the power of the fuel cell stack that had to be installed in an automobile. The mass production technology is also another factor that we focused on and we finally came to this point (of putting it out on the market)."

The stack outputs a maximum of 114 KW.

According to Toyota, the efficiency of its electricity generation has been improved by using 3D fine mesh flow channels to ensure uniform generation on cell surfaces - a world first.

Other Asian automakers, Honda and Hyundai, are also experimenting with limited sales and leases of fuel cell cars.

Honda recently showed off a fuel cell concept.

Besides the relatively high cost, buyers will have to contend with finding fuel - only a few dozen hydrogen filling stations have been built worldwide, though governments are subsidising the construction of more.

It's an uncertain future that depends both on whether makers can bring down the price and if a wide-enough network of filling stations is built.

According to auto analyst Haans Griemel, the most challenging part of selling the FCVs is the problem of infrastructure.

"The most challenging part of this car's roll out is of course the infrastructure," he says.

"It's kind of a chicken and egg type of a problem. People want to buy the car only if there's an infrastructure, but there won't be the infrastructure unless people are buying the cars. So, that's the biggest hurdle I would say right now, it's just getting a fuelling network up and running so that people aren't afraid to drive this car across the country."

Yoshikazu Tanaka, the deputy chief engineer for Toyota's next generation vehicle development, says he expects it will take 10-20 years for the Mirai to reach sales in the tens of thousands of vehicles a year.

This release was timed with what's happening around the world.

"Our goal for the release in 2015 was originally decided in 2011 when the infrastructure providers, automakers and the government agreed and announced its plan to have the infrastructure ready by year 2015," says Tanaka.

"We timed it - in a way - to synchronise with the similar movement happening in Europe and in America so we went along with that."

Toyota faced a similar scenario with its gasoline-electric hybrid - the Prius - which now sells in big numbers.

Hoping to offset the inconvenience of finding fuel, Toyota gave the car a futuristic look inside and out - Mirai means 'future' in Japanese.

It accelerates quickly, from about 40 to 70 kilometres (25 to 45 miles) per hour.

The Japanese government also plans to offer a 2 million yen ($17,136 USD) subsidy to purchasers of fuel cell cars, reducing the effective price to 4.7 million yen ($40,270 USD).

Sales will be limited to the primarily urban areas that have fueling stations.

In Japan, there are about 30 stations.

They're in the regions around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya cities in central and western Japan and the northern part of Kyushu Island in the south.

A few stations have opened in California in the United States and there are plans to build some in the Northeast.

Germany and the UK are among European countries that have or plan to build them.

According to Toyota, they currently have about 200 pre-orders for the vehicle, mainly from government agencies and companies that want to go green.

The Mirai can travel 650 to 700 kilometres (400-435 miles) on its two tanks of hydrogen.

In the US, its range is 300 miles because of different driving conditions.

Hydrogen may be more expensive than gas initially, because there are so few customers but - over time - Toyota expects it will be cheaper to run a car on hydrogen than gas.

====

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com.

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

Cars that run on hydrogen and exhaust only water vapor are emerging to challenge electric vehicles as the world's transportation of the future.

At the Los Angeles Auto Show Wednesday, Honda and Hyundai automakers unveiled hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to be delivered to the general public as early as next spring.

Toyota promised a mass-produced fuel cell car by 2015 at the Tokyo car show earlier.

Hyundai Motor Co. will be the first to the mass market in the U.S. It unveiled a hydrogen-powered Tucson small SUV that will be leased to consumers for $499 per month for three years with $3,000 down.

Hydrogen cars are appealing because unlike electric vehicles, they have the range of a typical gasoline car and can be refueled quickly. Experts say the industry also has overcome safety and reliability concerns that have hindered distribution in the past.

But hydrogen cars still have a glaring downside � refueling stations are scarce, and costly to build.

Consumers can expect costs in line with some luxury models.

Hyundai is offering to pay the hydrogen and maintenance costs. The company will start leasing in the Los Angeles area, where most of the state's nine fueling stations are located. California lawmakers have allocated $100 million to build 100 more. Honda wouldn't reveal any pricing details.

Hydrogen cars, experts say, have an advantage over battery-powered electric cars because drivers don't have to worry about running out of electricity and having to wait hours for recharging.

Hydrogen fuel cells use a complex chemical process to separate electrons and protons in hydrogen gas molecules. The electrons power a car's electric motor, which turns the wheels.

Since the hydrogen isn't burned, there's no pollution. Instead, oxygen also is pumped into the system, and when it meets the hydrogen ions and electrons, that creates water and heat. The only byproduct is water.

A fuel cell produces only about one volt of electricity, so many are stacked to generate enough juice.

Toyota said its new fuel cell vehicle will go on sale in Japan in 2015 and within a year later in Europe and U.S.

Toyota's fuel cell car is a "concept" model called FCV that looks like a sleeker Prius gas-electric hybrid.

Honda, which has leased about two-dozen fuel cell cars since 2005, took the wraps off a futuristic-looking FCEV concept vehicle in Los Angeles.

Honda executives predict that it will take five years for the hydrogen refueling stations to reach significant numbers outside California, and up to 25 years to go nationwide.

But skeptics say hydrogen fueling stations are more expensive than electric car charging stations, partly because electricity is almost everywhere and new and safe ways for producing, storing and transferring

hydrogen will be needed.

AP TELEVISION

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Los Angeles, California

1. Wide, convention floor at Los Angeles Auto Show

2. Wide, pan across cars covered with fabric waiting to be revealed

3. Wide, Chevrolet logo advertising new "Colorado" mid-size pickup truck

4. Medium, smoke and colored lights around new Subaru WRX, silky fabric slides off to unveil new car model in cherry red

5. Medium low, man peers in driver's side door of Subaru WRX

6. Wide, Honda stage with water and lights and concept car under wraps

7. Medium, screen above stage reads reads "Honda FCEV Concept"

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tetsuo Iwamura, President and CEO, American Honda Motor Co.

"Today we want to focus on what we believe has the potential to become the ultimate solution to realizing ultra-low carbon mobility. And that is the fuel cell electric vehicle."

9. Wide, Iwamura speaks on stage in front of veiled concept car

10. Tight, rear bumper of concept car as Iwarmura walks in front

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Tetsuo Iwamura, President and CEO, American Honda Motor Co."The Honda FCEV concept!" (wide, fabric is whisked off car and music swells)

12. Wide, Honda sign on convention floor

13. Medium, woman tries to open door on concept car

14. Medium, man takes photo of car with cell phone

15. Tight, rear license plate pan up to Honda logo on rear bumper

16. SOUNDBITE (English) John O'Dell, Edmunds.com green vehicle analyst "Hydrogen fuel cells basically mix hydrogen and oxygen together, separate out the electrons and produce the electricity on board. In actuality, a hydrogen fuel cell car is an electric vehicle."

17. Tight, front of Honda concept car, zoom out to entire car

18. Tight, Honda insignia on front of car

19. Medium, photographer takes photo of car 20. SOUNDBITE (English) John O'Dell, Edmunds.com green vehicle analyst "The way Hyundai for instance tests its fuel cell tank? They light the car on fire. They've burnt up entire fuel cell vehicles to see what happens.

The pressure vent on the tank releases, the hydrogen goes up in a fan shape, it burns like a butane lighter, straight up in the air. And it dissipates in a couple of minutes."

21. Tight, curves on concept car, zoom out to entire car

22. Tight, Iwamura speaks to Japanese reporters

23. Medium pan, concept car

24. SOUNDBITE (English) John O'Dell, Edmunds.com green vehicle analyst "It's a more compact package and it's lighter than a big battery pack that you need for a plug-in electric vehicle."

25. Wide, audience waiting for Hyundai press conference

26. Medium, people at Hyundai presser

27. Wide, Hyundai Tucson ix35 hydrogen fuel cell compact SUV spinning slowly

28. Tight, Hyundai fuel cell vehicle spinning 29. Wide, Hyundai stage

30. SOUNDBITE (English) John Krafcik, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor America "You've got driving range of up to 300 miles. You can refuel them in just a few minutes. And there's endless choice in size and configuration.

That's because it's more space- and weight-efficient to multiply the number of fuel cells than it is to multiply the number of batteries."

31. Wide, Krafcik on stage

32. Medium, Hyundai Tucson compact SUV

33. Wide, Toyota display at convention

34. Tight, Toyota sign

35. Tight zoom out to medium, worker polishing Dodge Challenger anniversary edition

36. Medium, model in white dress and boots with Dodge Challenger

SWITZERLAND HYBRID CARS

LENGTH: 4.56

SOURCE: AP TELEVISION NEWS

RESTRICTION: AP TECH TV CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

1. Various exterior motor show

2. Interior motor show

3. Various of Toyota stand, Toyota Prius video in background

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jozef Vandecruys, marketing manager Toyota:

"Well it's really, let's say a 'hybrid hype.' "

5. Sign reading Hybrid Synergy Drive

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jozef Vandecruys, marketing manager Toyota:

"I tell you, increase from the customer in environmental concern; increased oil prices; but I think mainly environmental concerns. People are really getting concerned about in what world their grandchildren are going to live".

7. Various of stand (featuring stuffed racoons) from Swiss government campaign highlighting car pollution

8. Prototype electric car,

9. Close up electric car's battery in the boot

10. Various of prototype Bollor� blu car

11. Nissan Pivo electric car; doors closing body spinning on wheel base

12. Close up hostess smiling from inside Pivo

13. Hostess inside electric concept car from Toyota Aygo

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Susanne Wegmann, president of e-mobile association:

"There has been talking about hybrid vehicles for more than one hundred years. But that they are really on the market and are available for everybody, so that everybody can drive, it's been only very recently."

15. Toyota stand

16. Lexus hybrid sedan GS 450 H poster with video in background

17. Various close up of model of sedan

18. Various of hybrid SUV from General Motors

19. Various of Citroen C4 diesel electric hybrid

20. Various of other hybrid cars

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Susanne Wegmann, President of E-mobile Association:

"I don't think it's going to be one standard, but I think it's going to be different 'drive trains' which take up more and more - one will be natural gas."

23. Gas pump

24. Renault Kangoo equipped for natural gas

25. Close up gas tank

26. Pump

27. Various of pump in action

28. Demonstration of distilled cellulosic compost to make ethanol

29. Various of Saab bio power vehicle which runs on ethanol or petrol

30. SOUNDBITE (English) Mario Klaus, Saab marketing manager:

"In Sweden they have the benefit that the ethanol, the fuel itself, is quite cheap, compared to the normal fuel. On the other side for instance in Stockholm you don't pay any parking fees, you don't pay any road pricing and you have tax benefits as well".

31. Tracking shot over floor map of Geneva streets

32. Exterior motorshow, tracking shot interior car at lights

33. Hybrid car owner Nadine Wuillemin driving

34. SOUNDBITE (French) Nadine Wuillemin, owner of hybrid car:

"I wanted a car which consumed less than one hundred litres and polluted less than one hundred and twenty grams of...I don't remember what. And I ticked away the vehicles one by one. It (her car) recharges by itself as you drive, you can follow the consumption here... for example now I am going uphill then the battery is in use, and now, it's recharging, there are the small green lines."

35. Interior motorshow, various of men washing car

36. Honda's prototype home energy station

37. Various Honda Formula 1 driver Jenson Button with Honda CEO Takeo Fukui

38. SOUNDBITE (English) Takeo Fukui, Honda CEO:

"Today we display the FCX concept model which is very close to the next generation of fuel cells vehicles."

39. Honda FCX on stand

40. Various computer animation: Honda FCX driving

SUGGESTED LEAD IN

With the rising cost of petrol, cars powered with alternative fuels have become more and more popular.

And this is no exception at the Geneva International Motor Show where hybrid cars are one of the highlights.

But for anyone that thinks environmentally friendly means boring -- they're in for a surprise.

SUGGESTED VOICE OVER

Alongside the shiny racing cars, this year the Geneva Motorshow also tackled a serious topic - the environmental impact of our addiction to driving.

A number of car manufacturers have been creating vehicles that can run on a variety of alternative energy sources -- cars which both conserve oil and reduce CO2 pollution.

Although there are already many alternatives - this year's buzz word is "hybrid."

SOUNDBITE (English)

"Well it's really, let's say a 'hybrid hype.'"

SUPERCAPTION: Jozef Vandecruys, marketing manager Toyota

And such cars are popular for many reasons.

SOUNDBITE (English)

"I tell you, increase from the customer in environmental concerns, increased oil prices, but I think mainly environmental concerns. People are really getting concerned about in what world their grandchildren are going to live"

SUPERCAPTION: Jozef Vandecruys, marketing manager Toyota

A recent campaign from the Swiss federal government suggests labelling cars to show their level of ecological friendliness.

This Bollor� Blue e-car lasts 250 kilometres before needing to be recharged -- and that only cost two US dollars.

The hybrids Nissan Pivo and Toyota Aygo are both scoring highly --both in manoeuvrability and design.

Despite the buzz here in Geneva, the hybrid car is not a new concept.

SOUNDBITE (English)

"There has been talking about hybrid vehicles for more than one hundred years, but that they have been available on the market and available for everybody, so that everybody can drive, it's been only very recently".

SUPERCAPTION: Susanne Wegmann, president, e-mobile association

A hybrid is a car that runs on more than one fuel -- a car with a standard petrol engine, coupled with an electric motor.

This is not an electric battery that you recharge during the night but a battery that recharges itself while you are driving, picking up all the unused kinetic energy from the engine, and giving it back when the car needs a boost.

The result is less petrol consumption and therefore less pollution.

SOUNDBITE (English)

"I don't think it's going to be one standard, but I think it's going to be different 'drive trains' which take up more and more - one will be natural gas."

SUPERCAPTION: Susanne Wegmann, President, E-mobile Association

Other "alternative fuels" that are not necessarily new are natural gas or methane.

These and LPG -- liquid petroleum gas -- a mixture of two gases: propane and butane have been used to power vehicles for decades.

A new alternative that many are betting on is ethanol or E85, produced via the distillation of bio waste (corn, sugar cane, organic waste).

But to make this the choice of the future, all sorts of incentives are needed.

SOUNDBITE (English)

"In Sweden they have the benefit that the ethanol, the fuel itself, is quite cheap, compared to the normal fuel; on the other side for instance in Stockholm you don't pay any parking fees, you don't pay any road pricing and you have tax benefits as well".

SUPERCAPTION: Mario Klaus, Saab marketing manager)

In this labyrinth of possible choices, which road will the environmentally conscious consumer take?

One Swiss citizen, worried about the environment, did her homework before buying a Honda Civic IMA.

SOUNDBITE (French)

"I wanted a car which consumed less than one hundred litres and polluted less than one hundred and twenty grams of...I don't remember what. And I ticked away the vehicles one by one. It (her car) recharges by itself as you drive, you can follow the consumption here... for example now I am going uphill then the battery is in use, and now, it's recharging, there are the small green lines."

SUPERCAPTION: Nadine Wuillemin, owner of hybrid car

And if the waste product of the car is water -- there is a solution for that too.

Honda has just launched the new FCX fuel cell concept vehicle, which does just that.

SOUNDBITE (English)

"Today we display the FCX Concept model which is very close to the next generation of fuel cells vehicles."

SUPERCAPTION: Takeo Fukui, CEO of Honda

As people become more environmentally conscious, car manufacturers are coming up with more designs to both impress consumers and protect the world we live in.

====

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Television News Library on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aptnlibrary.com.

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

SHOTLIST:

1. Medium of hydrogen powered Audi vehicle driving.

2. Close up of General Motors hydrogen car.

3. Close up of Toyota fuel cell sign.

4. Close up of GM Hydrogen sign.

5. Medium of Volkswagen hydrogen powered car driving off.

6. Close up inside fuel cell car pan to road.

7. Close up of fuel cell display on dashboard.

8. Wide of outside of car.

9. Medium of Toyota fuel cell car in traffic.

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jeffrey Serfass, President, National Hydrogen Association

"With hydrogen you can produce this transportation fuel from wind energy, nuclear energy, coal. All forms of energy that you cannot put in your tank by themselves but you can convert to hydrogen. That's the magic of hydrogen, you might think of as electricity in that you can produce it from anything. When you use it you use it very cleanly."

11. Wide of Long Beach Convention Centre.

12. Close up of Hydrogen Conference sign.

13. Wide of conference exhibit hall.

14. Close up of Honda fuel cell engine.

15. Close up of Honda sign.

16. Wide of hydrogen powered police car.

17. Close up of sign.

18. Close up of 'hydrogen patrol' sign on police car.

19. Wide of hybrid fuel cell/battery motorbike.

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tim Foster, Intelligent Energy.

"It's been designed with a one kilowatt intelligent energy fuel cell that runs on stored hydrogen, compressed hydrogen as the fuel and a five kilowatts battery so we continuously recharge the battery as we are driving. We will achieve fifty miles per hour and it gets the equivalent of 760 miles to the gallon if you compare it to a gasoline engine motorcycle."

21. Medium of motorbike.

22. Close up of hydrogen fuelling point.

23. Wide of fuel cell vehicle.

24. Wide of BMW hydrogen display.

25. Close up of BMW hydrogen engine.

26. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jeffrey Serfass, President, National Hydrogen Association.

"There is a very light noise that is the compressors that vary with speed that provide a little bit of pressure to the gasses: Argon and the air into the fuel cell. I think in the long run we will find these vehicles to be absolutely quiet and provide a comfort in terms of the sound that's superior to today's vehicles but interestingly a rather peppy and fun vehicle to drive."

27. Close up of hydrogen fuel line being attached to refuel vehicle.

28. Close up of hydrogen fuel station display.

29. Wide of hydrogen fuelling station.

SUGGESTED LEAD IN :

Environmental concerns often feature prominently on the international news agenda.

Concerns about carbon emissions and political instability in some oil producing regions, has prompted some US car manufacturers to begin to think about designing alternative vehicle fuels.

VOICEOVER :

The American love affair with the car, continues unabated.

But now more American car owners are concerned about the environmental impact of their car addiction.

The National Hydrogen Association (NHA) recently held it's annual conference ambitiously slated: "Global Progress Toward Clean Energy", in Long Beach, California.

Hydrogen powered vehicles from major auto makers, like General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Audi and Volkswagen offered rides in these cars of the future.

The fuel cell vehicle use hydrogen as a fuel source.

When hydrogen and oxygen are supplied, the fuel cell makes electricity to power the vehicle's electric motor.

There are no polluting emissions from the fuel cell, only water and heat.

Jeffrey Serfass is the president of the National Hydrogen Association, a trade group made up of industry, government and academia to promote hydrogen use.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"With hydrogen you can produce this transportation fuel from wind energy, nuclear energy, coal. All forms of energy you cannot put in your tank by themselves but you can convert to hydrogen. That's the magic of hydrogen, you might think of as electricity in that you can produce it from anything. When you use it you use it very cleanly."

SUPERCAPTION: Jeffrey Serfass, President, National Hydrogen Association

The NHA hydrogen conference was attended by over one thousand energy industry experts, policy-makers, and technology developers from around the world to discuss the future of hydrogen power and fuel cells.

The Long Beach Convention Centre exhibit hall displayed all the latest technology from global giants including fuel cell vehicles from Honda as well as smaller hydrogen technology companies.

One of the displays was a fuel cell vehicle mock up of a California Highway Patrol vehicle dubbed a 'Hydrogen Patrol' car with: 'To serve and protect the environment inscribed on the front, it was built by a California technology company, Hydrogen Vehicles Systems.

HVS converts existing vehicles making hydrogen internal combustion cars and trucks that burn hydrogen directly.

A hybrid fuel cell and battery motorcycle from a British company: 'Intelligent Design' has an impressive fuel economy of 760 miles (1222 kilometres) per gallon compared to a gasoline powered motorcycle.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"It's been designed with a one kilowatt intelligent energy fuel cell that runs on stored hydrogen, compressed hydrogen as the fuel and a five kilowatts battery so we continuously recharge the battery as we are driving. We will achieve fifty miles (80 kilometres) per hour and it gets the equivalent of 760 miles (1222 kilometres) to the gallon if you compare it to a gasoline engine motorcycle."

SUPERCAPTION: Tim Foster, Intelligent Energy

Intelligent Design produces fuel processing technologies and makes fuel cells in the US, UK and South Africa.

The Nation Hydrogen association's, Jeffrey Serfass believes the fuel cell cars of the future will be quiet, comfortable and fun to drive.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"There is a very light noise that is the compressors that vary with speed that provide a little bit of pressure to the gasses: argon and the air into the fuel cell. I think in the long run we will find these vehicles to be absolutely quiet and provide a comfort in terms of the sound that's superior to today's vehicles but interestingly a rather peppy and fun vehicle to drive."

SUPERCAPTION: Jeffrey Serfass, President, National Hydrogen Association

SHOTLIST

1. Tilt up, FCX Clarity entering the stage for line-off ceremony

2. Pan of FCX Clarity's front

3. Mid of driver closing the door, bowing to the audience

4. Mid of Honda engineers clapping hands

5. Wide of President Takeo Fukui walking to centre stage to address the audience

6. Wide of corporate audience

7. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Takeo Fukui, President of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.:

"Today is an historic day celebrating the new step towards a more widespread use of our fuel cell vehicle."

8. Mid of Ron Yerxa (left), Jon Spallino (centre), and Laura Harris, first customers of the vehicle

9. Mid of keys presented to the customers

10. Tilt up of Jon Spallino holding the car key

11. Wide of other two receiving the key from the president

12. Mid of Honda engineers clapping

13. Zoom out of President Fukui leaving the ceremony on FCX Clarity with the customers seated in the back

14. Tilt-up of the body

15. Pan of car interior at assembly line

16. Close of interior details

17. Wide of hydrogen tank

18. Mid of hydrogen tank detail

19. Mid of engineers lifting the body

20. Wide of engineers loading the hydrogen tank

21. Wide of engineers picking up too to adjust the hydrogen tank

22. Mid of Jon Spallino watching the assembly line

23. Close of hydrogen tank from below

24. Wide of Laura Harris listening to engineer's explanation

25. SOUNDBITE: (English) Laura Harris, FCX Clarity Customer:

"I am just really looking forward to a completely new alternative of transportation. So, I just want to be a part of the offerings that are available. This is an extraordinary one for sure, and it is an exquisite vehicle, and it is so fun to drive."

26. Mid to pan of the Spallino family getting in the car

27. Close of drivers' hands

28. Close of meter on the driver panel

29. Mid of driver's view

30. Wide to pan of FCX Clarity approaching and passing by

31. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jon Spallino, FCX Clarity Customer:

"The drive is fantastic. It's a great acceleration, great handling, and great comfort."

32. Pan of vehicle slowing down to a halt

33. Tilt up of vehicle interior mechanics

34. Close of FCX Clarity logo

35. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Takeo Fuku, President of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. :

"We have been working hard on the environment friendly technology, but the global climate is facing a serious situation, and it is important for us as a company to take a lead in addressing the problem. I think there is no future for the automotive industry unless we work on it as a whole, and we want to be at the forefront."

36. Zoom out of the car from the front

37. Close of FCX Clarity logo

38. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Sachito Fujimoto, Senior Chief Engineer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

"Right now, the engine takes up a lot of space in gas-fuelled cars, but I want to create something different and more attractive with the fuel cell car. The styling, the driving feel, and the spacious interior of FCX Clarity are all new values and qualities created by the new fuel cell system."

39. Close to wide of car moving forward

LEAD IN:

Honda's new zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell car rolled off a Japanese production line Monday (16JUN08).

The new vehicle is headed to southern California, where Hollywood is already abuzz over the latest splash in green motoring.

The FCX Clarity runs on hydrogen and electricity, emitting only water and none of the gases believed to induce global warming.

STORYLINE:

Honda's latest creation is, according to the manufacturers, two times more energy efficient than a gas-electric hybrid and three times that of a standard gasoline-powered car.

Fuel cells create electricity in a chemical process combining hydrogen and oxygen and only emit water vapour.

Designed for practical every day use, the car speeds up to 100 mph maximum and travels as far as 270 miles.

Honda expects to lease out a "few dozen" units this year and about 200 units within a year. In California, a

three-year lease will run $600 a month, which includes maintenance and collision coverage.

President Takeo Fukui says that Honda intends to lead the future of automotive industry with environmental technologies, adding that there is no future for the automotive industry unless environmental issues are addressed.

Senior Chief Engineer, Sachito Fujimoto, says the car excites him not just because it satisfies the company's environmental responsibility. The architecture of the car, which uses a fuel cell stack, creates avenues for exploring new designs, performance, and sensations behind the wheel.

Among the first customers are Ron Yerxa (who produced the award-winning film "Little Miss Sunshine"), Jon Spallino, CFO of California-based engineering and construction firm, and actress Laura Harris.

Actors Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest are also among the first five customers.

"I am just really looking forward to a completely new alternative of transportation," said Laura Harris whilst adding that the car was both extraordinary and exquisite.

Spallino says the drive is fantastic with great acceleration, great handling and great comfort.

Harris, Spallino and Yerxa were flown to the ceremony,courtesy of Honda.

The biggest obstacles standing in the way of wider adoption of fuel cell vehicles are cost and the dearth of

hydrogen fuel stations. For the Clarity's release in California, Honda said it received 50,000 applications

through its Web site but considered only buyers living near hydrogen fuel stations in Torrance, Santa Monica and

Irvine.

Initially, however, the Clarity will go only to a chosen few starting July and then launch in Japan in the autumn.

Although Honda Motor Co. was the first Japanese automaker to launch a gas-electric hybrid vehicle in the U.S. in

1999, it has been outpaced by the dominance of Toyota's popular Prius.

Toyota announced in May that it has sold more than 1million Prius hybrids, while both the Honda Insight and the

hybrid Accord have been discontinued due to poor sales.

Honda plans to deliver at least 200 FCX Clarity over the next three years in Japan and the US combined as initiatives for achieving more widespread use of fuel cell vehicles in the future.

The FCX Clarity is part of Honda's plan to keep pace with rivals in green technology. It also plans to launch a

gas-electric hybrid-only model, as well as hybrid versions of the Civic, the sporty CR-Z and Fit subcompact.

Keyword science technology

LEADIN

Hyundai has unveiled its new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

It will be launched next year and will be able to drive almost 600 kilometres between pick ups.

STORYLINE

Taking centre stage... the latest hydrogen fuel cell vehicle from South Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co.

The company's second-generation fuel-cell SUV will be launched early next year. Hyundai says the upcoming vehicle will travel 40 percent further than its first generation fuel cell SUV, the Tucson ix FCEV, launched in 2013:

"The major selling point of our product, the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is its mileage on a single charge," says Director for Korea marketing, Ryu Chang Sung.

"The first generation FCEV, TUCSON FCEV could drive 415 kilometres after a single charge. Our next generation FCEV, expected to be launched soon, shows a remarkable improvement in its driving distance. It could run 580 kilometres on a single charge, and further advancement is underway for it to run more than 800 kilometres by the European standards."

Fuel cell cars are emission-free like pure electric cars. However they can be refuelled in two to three minutes unlike electric vehicles which can take several hours to fully recharge.

However a lack of hydrogen fuelling stations is seen as an obstacle for mass adoption. Toyota, Honda and General Motors are also investing heavily in fuel cell technology but fuel cell cars are gaining less traction than electric vehicles, which can find charging stations more easily.

South Korea plans to increase the number of hydrogen fuelling stations from 16 stations this year to 100 stations by 2020 to sharply raise sales of fuel cell vehicles.

The country is aiming to have 10,000 fuel cell vehicles on its roads by 2020 as part of its plans to tackle air pollution, its environmental ministry said in March. That would be a jump from just 121 fuel cell cars in 2016. Hyundai says it plans to work closely with the government.

"The government had made up a plan to supply 10,000 FCEVs by 2020, and we will closely collaborate with the government to resolve issues such as the charging infrastructure or promoting awareness of the product. We will make our best efforts to accomplish the government-private provision plan via mutual cooperation," says Sung.

Hyundai Motor Co. also plans to catch up in the eco-friendly car race with longer driving range electric vehicles.

It plans to launch an electric vehicle with a driving range of 500 kilometres after 2021. Before the summer of next year, it plans to release a small electric sports utility vehicle with a driving range of 390 kilometres per charge. In 2021, its luxury brand Genesis will unveil an electric vehicle model as well.

Seoul - 17 August 2017

1. Wide of start of launch ceremony

2. Unveiling of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

3. Various of the vehicle on display

4. Various of Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing, on stage

5. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing:

"The major selling point of our product, the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is its mileage on a single charge. The first generation FCEV, TUCSON FCEV could drive 415 kilometres after a single charge. Our next generation FCEV, expected to be launched soon, shows a remarkable improvement in its driving distance. It could run 580 kilometres on a single charge, and further advancement is underway for it to run more than 800 kilometres by the European standards."

6. Men standing around a white Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

7. Close of vehicle charging

8. Mid of inner-engine/ gears on display

9. Close of Hydrogen Tank

10. Mid tilt down of the Hydrogen Tank and the High Voltage Battery System

11. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing:

"We are planning to introduce our next generation FCEV in the first and the fourth quarter next year. The government had made up a plan to supply 10,000 FCEVs by 2020, and we will closely collaborate with the government to resolve issues such as the charging infrastructure or promoting awareness of the product. We will make our best efforts to accomplish the government-private provision plan via mutual cooperation."

12. Close of miniature FCEV car model

13. An employee demonstrating how it works

14. Various of the miniature vehicle moving

15. Mid of two Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

16. Various of vehicles charging

17. Various of vehicles parked outside Fuel Cell Electric House

LEADIN

Hyundai has unveiled its new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

It will be launched next year and will be able to drive almost 600 kilometres between pick ups.

STORYLINE

Taking centre stage... the latest hydrogen fuel cell vehicle from South Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co.

The company's second-generation fuel-cell SUV will be launched early next year. Hyundai says the upcoming vehicle will travel 40 percent further than its first generation fuel cell SUV, the Tucson ix FCEV, launched in 2013:

"The major selling point of our product, the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is its mileage on a single charge," says Director for Korea marketing, Ryu Chang Sung.

"The first generation FCEV, TUCSON FCEV could drive 415 kilometres after a single charge. Our next generation FCEV, expected to be launched soon, shows a remarkable improvement in its driving distance. It could run 580 kilometres on a single charge, and further advancement is underway for it to run more than 800 kilometres by the European standards."

Fuel cell cars are emission-free like pure electric cars. However they can be refuelled in two to three minutes unlike electric vehicles which can take several hours to fully recharge.

However a lack of hydrogen fuelling stations is seen as an obstacle for mass adoption. Toyota, Honda and General Motors are also investing heavily in fuel cell technology but fuel cell cars are gaining less traction than electric vehicles, which can find charging stations more easily.

South Korea plans to increase the number of hydrogen fuelling stations from 16 stations this year to 100 stations by 2020 to sharply raise sales of fuel cell vehicles.

The country is aiming to have 10,000 fuel cell vehicles on its roads by 2020 as part of its plans to tackle air pollution, its environmental ministry said in March. That would be a jump from just 121 fuel cell cars in 2016. Hyundai says it plans to work closely with the government.

"The government had made up a plan to supply 10,000 FCEVs by 2020, and we will closely collaborate with the government to resolve issues such as the charging infrastructure or promoting awareness of the product. We will make our best efforts to accomplish the government-private provision plan via mutual cooperation," says Sung.

Hyundai Motor Co. also plans to catch up in the eco-friendly car race with longer driving range electric vehicles.

It plans to launch an electric vehicle with a driving range of 500 kilometres after 2021. Before the summer of next year, it plans to release a small electric sports utility vehicle with a driving range of 390 kilometres per charge. In 2021, its luxury brand Genesis will unveil an electric vehicle model as well.

Seoul - 17 August 2017

1. Wide of start of launch ceremony

2. Unveiling of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

3. Various of the vehicle on display

4. Various of Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing, on stage

5. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing:

"The major selling point of our product, the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is its mileage on a single charge. The first generation FCEV, TUCSON FCEV could drive 415 kilometres after a single charge. Our next generation FCEV, expected to be launched soon, shows a remarkable improvement in its driving distance. It could run 580 kilometres on a single charge, and further advancement is underway for it to run more than 800 kilometres by the European standards."

6. Men standing around a white Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

7. Close of vehicle charging

8. Mid of inner-engine/ gears on display

9. Close of Hydrogen Tank

10. Mid tilt down of the Hydrogen Tank and the High Voltage Battery System

11. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing:

"We are planning to introduce our next generation FCEV in the first and the fourth quarter next year. The government had made up a plan to supply 10,000 FCEVs by 2020, and we will closely collaborate with the government to resolve issues such as the charging infrastructure or promoting awareness of the product. We will make our best efforts to accomplish the government-private provision plan via mutual cooperation."

12. Close of miniature FCEV car model

13. An employee demonstrating how it works

14. Various of the miniature vehicle moving

15. Mid of two Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

16. Various of vehicles charging

17. Various of vehicles parked outside Fuel Cell Electric House

LEADIN

Hyundai has unveiled its new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

It will be launched next year and will be able to drive almost 600 kilometres between pick ups.

STORYLINE

Taking centre stage... the latest hydrogen fuel cell vehicle from South Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co.

The company's second-generation fuel-cell SUV will be launched early next year. Hyundai says the upcoming vehicle will travel 40 percent further than its first generation fuel cell SUV, the Tucson ix FCEV, launched in 2013:

"The major selling point of our product, the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is its mileage on a single charge," says Director for Korea marketing, Ryu Chang Sung.

"The first generation FCEV, TUCSON FCEV could drive 415 kilometres after a single charge. Our next generation FCEV, expected to be launched soon, shows a remarkable improvement in its driving distance. It could run 580 kilometres on a single charge, and further advancement is underway for it to run more than 800 kilometres by the European standards."

Fuel cell cars are emission-free like pure electric cars. However they can be refuelled in two to three minutes unlike electric vehicles which can take several hours to fully recharge.

However a lack of hydrogen fuelling stations is seen as an obstacle for mass adoption. Toyota, Honda and General Motors are also investing heavily in fuel cell technology but fuel cell cars are gaining less traction than electric vehicles, which can find charging stations more easily.

South Korea plans to increase the number of hydrogen fuelling stations from 16 stations this year to 100 stations by 2020 to sharply raise sales of fuel cell vehicles.

The country is aiming to have 10,000 fuel cell vehicles on its roads by 2020 as part of its plans to tackle air pollution, its environmental ministry said in March. That would be a jump from just 121 fuel cell cars in 2016. Hyundai says it plans to work closely with the government.

"The government had made up a plan to supply 10,000 FCEVs by 2020, and we will closely collaborate with the government to resolve issues such as the charging infrastructure or promoting awareness of the product. We will make our best efforts to accomplish the government-private provision plan via mutual cooperation," says Sung.

Hyundai Motor Co. also plans to catch up in the eco-friendly car race with longer driving range electric vehicles.

It plans to launch an electric vehicle with a driving range of 500 kilometres after 2021. Before the summer of next year, it plans to release a small electric sports utility vehicle with a driving range of 390 kilometres per charge. In 2021, its luxury brand Genesis will unveil an electric vehicle model as well.

Seoul - 17 August 2017

1. Wide of start of launch ceremony

2. Unveiling of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

3. Various of the vehicle on display

4. Various of Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing, on stage

5. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing:

"The major selling point of our product, the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is its mileage on a single charge. The first generation FCEV, TUCSON FCEV could drive 415 kilometres after a single charge. Our next generation FCEV, expected to be launched soon, shows a remarkable improvement in its driving distance. It could run 580 kilometres on a single charge, and further advancement is underway for it to run more than 800 kilometres by the European standards."

6. Men standing around a white Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

7. Close of vehicle charging

8. Mid of inner-engine/ gears on display

9. Close of Hydrogen Tank

10. Mid tilt down of the Hydrogen Tank and the High Voltage Battery System

11. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Ryu Chang Sung, Director for Korea marketing:

"We are planning to introduce our next generation FCEV in the first and the fourth quarter next year. The government had made up a plan to supply 10,000 FCEVs by 2020, and we will closely collaborate with the government to resolve issues such as the charging infrastructure or promoting awareness of the product. We will make our best efforts to accomplish the government-private provision plan via mutual cooperation."

12. Close of miniature FCEV car model

13. An employee demonstrating how it works

14. Various of the miniature vehicle moving

15. Mid of two Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

16. Various of vehicles charging

17. Various of vehicles parked outside Fuel Cell Electric House