Coca-Cola to introduce hydrogen-powered vending machines in Osaka

Coca-Cola will showcase hydrogen-powered vending machines at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, next month. The company claims it is the first to develop this technology, in collaboration with Fuji Electric, a Japanese firm. Coca-Cola aims to reduce CO2 emissions to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. These vending machines use replaceable hydrogen cartridges instead of being plugged into power outlets. The cartridges generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen from the air. This electricity is then stored in a battery to power the machines. Coca-Cola plans to install 58 of these vending machines at the Expo. However, the company has not disclosed how long the hydrogen cartridges will last before needing replacement. They also acknowledged the challenge of creating the necessary infrastructure for hydrogen supply and managing costs. Reactions on social media have been mixed. Some users were skeptical about the eco-friendliness of these machines, while others praised the initiative. One user criticized the use of "gray hydrogen," suggesting it still generates greenhouse gases. Another noted that in Japan, where vending machines are common, this could be a practical solution. Hydrogen has been seen as a potential alternative to fossil fuels for years. Hydrogen-powered cars have existed for nearly a decade but have struggled to achieve widespread market success.