Toyota Hilux prototype with fuel cell drive!

Thomas Wachsmuth 2 December 2022 Toyota

Reading time 3 Min.

The Toyota Hilux is electrifying: the development of a prototype with a fuel cell drive has now started in Great Britain. After successful testing, the hydrogen-powered pick-up, which combines locally emission-free drive with unrestricted performance and a long range, could go into small series. Toyota is thus paving the way for more sustainability in the commercial vehicle market. A newly formed consortium led by Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd. is responsible for the development of the pick-up. (TMUK) responsible. The fuel cells of the second generation already used in the Toyota Mirai form the basis of the modified Hilux. The first prototypes are to be produced at the Toyota plant in Burnaston as early as 2023.

with fuel cell drive

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) Research and Development is supporting the teams in the UK with their many years of expertise to develop the next generation of hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrains. In addition, the consortium benefits from other qualified partners such as the consulting firm Ricardo, the companies ETL and D2H, which specialize in thermodynamics, and the insurance institute Thatcham Research. The UK is funding the project through the Advanced Propulsion Center (APC), which aims to help develop new, greener technologies and mobility solutions.

With the Hilux with fuel cell drive, Toyota is taking another step towards climate neutrality. The company is thus underpinning its technology-neutral approach, which includes various drive concepts for different needs and markets - from hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles to purely electric cars and fuel cell models. Hydrogen plays a central role on the way to a sustainable society. This project provides an opportunity to explore Toyota fuel cell technology in a broader and successively growing vehicle segment, thereby contributing to decarbonization in an important sector.

"Great Britain is one of the most important markets for pickups and for Toyota. We would like to thank the UK Government for funding which will enable the consortium to investigate the development of a fuel cell powered powertrain for the Toyota Hilux, furthering our goal of carbon neutralitysays Matt Harrison, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe. If we get more information, there is of course an update for this report. You will be informed about this if you simply use our Feed subscribe to. Have fun watching the pictures and stay true to us!

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