Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has joined forces with the Dutch VDL Groep (VDL) to break into the market for heavy-duty hydrogen-fuelled trucks, using Toyota’s fuel cell technology.

The project has the potential to accelerate the decarbonisation of the road logistics sector, an important element in TME’s strategy to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2040. 

Hans Bekkers, Commercial Director VDL Special Vehicles said, “VDL Special Vehicles believes in a zero emission future for medium and heavy-duty on and off-road equipment. We are therefore extremely proud to work with Toyota on this innovative technology project, which will allow us to expand our activities in hydrogen drivelines.” 

The infrastructure for hydrogen trucks can simply be extended to support other hydrogen vehicles that can use the same filling stations. Refuelling is fast, taking no longer than a diesel-powered vehicle to fill up.

VDL will build its first fuel cell truck by summer 2023 followed by more vehicles which will be assessed on Toyota’s logistics routes in the autumn.

Leon Van Der Merwe, Supply Chain Vice President at TME said, “We are excited to begin this project with VDL Groep, as it will allow us to further decarbonise the long-haul transport of our components, vehicles and service parts. Heavy-duty trucks will remain an important pillar in our multimodal strategy, and the introduction of zero emission trucks, equipped with our Toyota fuel cell modules, will have a strong impact on the overall carbon reduction of our logistics.” 

This new project is one of many Toyota has recently established with multiple partners; others include light commercial vehicles, boats, trains and buses, with the goal of accelerating the transition to a hydrogen economy. 

Photos: Toyota hydrogen fuel cell truck.