Toyota secures funding to develop hydrogen pick-up

A consortium led by Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd has secured funding from the Government to develop a hydrogen fuel cell pick-up at its Derbyshire plant.

Following a successful bid to the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), which supports zero-emissions vehicle development, the consortium has received financial support to develop a hydrogen fuel cell powered prototype Toyota Hilux.

The prototype vehicles will be manufactured throughout next year at Toyota’s Burnaston factory, which currently produces the Corolla.

Depending on the success of the project, this could lead to production of the hydrogen fuel cell powered Hilux on a small scale at the plant.

Richard Kenworthy, managing director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, said: “The opportunity that this funding enables is significant and goes towards developing the technical capabilities not only of our employees here at our site in Burnaston but also of those within the wider consortium partners.

“This region is heavily committed to supporting zero emissions mobility and we see this project as a great opportunity to contribute to the critical path on the road to carbon zero mobility.

“This UK Government funding will enable teams within the consortium to acquire key skills that can then be used going forward to investigate other fuel cell applications.”

The Toyota consortium applied to the APC after spotting a gap in the commercial vehicle market for a zero-emissions product.

Formed in 2013, the APC helps the automotive industry meet the challenges of decarbonisation, supporting the UK Government’s ambition to deliver zero-emission road transport.

Following its successful application, the Toyota consortium, which is made up of a number of engineering companies, will adopt existing second-generation Toyota fuel cell components for the transformation of a Hilux into a fuel-cell electric vehicle.

While Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd is leading the project, a team from Toyota Motor Europe R&D will provide technical support to enable the UK-based teams to build the expertise and self-sufficiency for the development of next generation hydrogen drivetrain capabilities.

Toyota has been promoting a multi-path approach to reducing emissions for more than 20 years.

This strategy encompasses all technologies, from hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and battery electric through to fuel cell electric.

Hydrogen is seen as one of the key building blocks towards carbon neutrality, using fuel cell technology for mobility and in the wider economy beyond transport.

As a hydrogen frontrunner, Toyota’s advanced fuel cell technology is already integrated into a range of vehicles, including passenger cars, buses, trucks, and trains.

According to Toyota, the UK is a key market in Europe for the firm in terms of pick-up trucks sales.

Matt Harrison, president and chief executive of Toyota Motor Europe, said: “The UK is one of the key markets for pick-up trucks and an important market for Toyota.

“This funding represents a tremendous opportunity to develop a zero-emission solution in a critical market segment.

“We would like to thank the UK Government for the funding that will enable the consortium to investigate the development of a fuel cell powertrain for the Toyota Hilux, supporting our carbon neutrality ambition.”