As of late 2024 and early 2025, Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. and Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. have co-developed and unveiled a hydrogen-cartridge-powered vending machine, the world’s first of its kind. The machine debuted at the Osaka-Kansai Expo in April 2025.
The technology is currently a proof-of-concept and has not been announced for broad commercial sale.
How the machine works
The hydrogen-powered vending machine operates independently of the electrical grid by generating its own power on-site through a fuel cell.
- The machine consists of two parts: a standard vending unit and an adjacent generator module.
- Inside the generator, a replaceable hydrogen cartridge is loaded.
- The system uses a fuel cell to create a chemical reaction between the hydrogen from the cartridge and oxygen from the air.
- This reaction generates electricity, which is then stored in a battery to power the machine’s cooling, display, and vending functions.
Advantages and challenges
Hydrogen-powered vending machines produce zero emissions and can operate off-grid using replaceable cartridges, offering placement flexibility and uninterrupted service during power outages. They utilize hydrogen as a high-density energy source and are estimated to be more energy-efficient than traditional models.