Coca-Cola is pushing vending technology to new heights with its hydrogen-powered vending machine that does not require being plugged into a wall socket. The company will be installing 58 of these machines at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan, which opens to the public on April 13, 2025.
This new technology has the potential to revolutionize vending machines. It will enable machines to be installed in isolated or off-grid areas, provided they can be accessed for maintenance and refilling.
How Does It Work On Hydrogen?
This machine is developed in collaboration with Fuji Electric. Each machine includes a hydrogen fuel cell module attached to its side. The process is easy, but futuristic. Hydrogen cartridges are loaded into the module, where a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen produces electricity, which is stored in an in-built battery.
Because of the added generator, these vending machines have a slightly larger footprint than usual. But what they lack in compact size, they make up for in mobility and sustainability. Since they’re cord-free, they don’t rely on grid electricity and can be placed almost anywhere, from public parks to event spaces and other high-traffic outdoor areas.
Educational and Eco-Friendly
Each hydrogen vending machine will also serve as an educational display. It will feature on-screen explanations of how hydrogen energy works. Visitors at the Expo will be able to see the green tech in action while grabbing a cold Coke or other beverages.
While Coca-Cola hasn’t yet disclosed how long a single hydrogen cartridge lasts, or how often they need to be changed, it’s clear that the company is betting on alternative energy sources as part of its sustainability goals.
Why It Matters?
The innovation is not merely about slicing power cords, it’s all part of a larger movement toward clean energy, decentralized infrastructure, and green solutions in daily life. Through the use of hydrogen fuel cells, Coca-Cola and Fuji Electric are assisting in demonstrating how big beverage companies can shift to meet climate-aware consumer demands.
If successful, these machines have the potential to usher in a new age of flexible, sustainable vending, with possible uses at music festivals, sporting events, transit hubs, and rural communities globally.
