TOKYO: Three top Japanese companies announced Tuesday that they are planning to collaborate on the creation of test railway vehicles to contribute to a lower-carbon future. The vehicles will run on a hybrid system of hydrogen-powered fuel cells and storage batteries.

Hitachi, Toyota and East Japan Railway Company, also known as JR East, are planning to combine efforts to create the test railway vehicles, which will combine railway and automotive technologies.

“By collaborating to develop these test railway vehicles, we aim to further improve the environmental superiority of railways and realize a sustainable society,” said a statement from the companies.

They emphasized the low environmental impact of hydrogen, which does not emit carbon dioxide when used as an energy source and can be made using renewable energy.

Each business will bring its own expertise to the project, which will use Hitachi’s hybrid drive system technology, JR East’s vehicle design and manufacturing, and Toyota’s expertise in fuel cell electric vehicles.