Key facts
- Toyota Motor will launch a hydrogen fuel cell version of its Hilux pickup truck in Europe in 2028.
- The vehicle is targeted at vehicle-leasing companies and other corporate customers.
- Toyota has been developing and testing hydrogen-fueled Hilux prototypes in the UK since 2023.
- The upcoming third-generation fuel-cell system is expected to offer higher durability and fuel efficiency at lower production costs.
- Toyota plans to introduce a battery-electric Hilux in 2026.
Toyota Motor plans to launch a hydrogen fuel cell version of its popular Hilux light commercial truck in Europe in 2028, targeting corporate customers such as vehicle-leasing companies. The announcement aligns with European Union regulations aimed at promoting low-emission transport, including targets for renewable fuels and requirements for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
Toyota has been developing and testing hydrogen-fueled Hilux prototypes in the UK since 2023, utilizing its second-generation fuel-cell technology derived from the Mirai passenger car. The company anticipates its upcoming third-generation system will enhance durability and fuel efficiency while reducing production costs.
While Toyota was an early entrant into the fuel-cell vehicle market with the Mirai sedan in 2014, sales have been modest. The company continues to invest in hydrogen technology as part of its broader electrification strategy, seeing it as a key solution for vehicles requiring long range, rapid refueling, and operation in demanding environments. The introduction of the hydrogen Hilux is seen as a test for market readiness for fuel-cell technology beyond passenger cars, with potential implications for supply chains and refueling networks.