Tokyo

TOYOTA will give away thousands of patents for its fuel-cell cars, it said on Tuesday, in an effort to encourage other carmakers into the new industry. The world's largest vehicle maker said that it will allow royalty-free use of about 5,680 patent licences, including 1,970 related to fuel-cell stacks and 3,350 concerning fuel-cell system control technology.

The firm also said that the free patent licences will include about 290 items related to high-pressure hydrogen tanks.