Toyota has made it abundantly clear that the shift toward a completely electrified and carbon-neutral fleet is underway. Toyota UK has received funding to pioneer the development of a hydrogen fuel cell powered Hilux.
The emission-less prototype is the result of a demand from Toyota customers for a greener product. This endeavour aims to adapt Toyota’s second-generation hydrogen fuel cell technology for the task of powering a Toyota Hilux. No small feat. Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK has received funding from the UK government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre which assists with the development of zero-emission vehicles.
Toyota hopes to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2050, and that goal has resulted in the introduction and conclusion of many famed Toyota nameplates. The firm’s second-generation fuel cell tech was last used in the 2022 Toyota Mirai. Bearing the firm’s cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell tech affords the Mirai a driving range of 646 km and a max output of 135 kW and 406 N.m. The Mirai possesses class-leading performance and utility, by way of its three hydrogen tanks.
A common hindrance for many electric vehicles is their weight. The Mirai, while being a hydrogen-powered car, still brings the scales a hair away from 2 000 kg. A concern for this transition into a hydrogen-powered Hilux is the weight that will be added onto an already hefty bakkie. Another factor potentially hindering the “hydro-Hilux” is the supporting infrastructure, such as fueling stations. There has been no timeline for this project or any milestones to look out for.
“The UK is one of the key markets for pick-up trucks and is an important market for Toyota. This funding represents a tremendous opportunity to develop a zero emission solution in a critical market segment.” —Matt Harrison, President & CEO of Toyota Motor Europe
