Toyota continues to develop several forms of environmentally friendly transport and is preparing a hydrogen-powered version of the popular Hilux pickup for series production. The vehicle is expected to arrive in Europe in 2028.
Toyota has already shown the first teaser of the future model. The image reveals the front of the vehicle with unusual segmented daytime running lights. The rest of the design remains hidden, so the final appearance of the production hydrogen-powered Hilux is still unknown. It is also not yet clear whether the model will receive a fully closed front grille and bumper similar to those used on the electric Hilux.
Toyota has so far revealed only some of the technical specifications of the production vehicle. It is known that the model will use a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain. In this system, hydrogen reacts chemically with oxygen to generate electricity for the electric motor. The only emission directly from the exhaust system is water.
Range — 400 km, towing capacity — up to 2.5 tonnes
For the future hydrogen-powered Hilux, Toyota is targeting figures that are particularly important for a commercial pickup. The main specifications are:
- range — up to 400 km under the WLTP cycle;
- maximum braked towing capacity — 2.5 tonnes;
- hydrogen refuelling could take around 5 minutes where a suitable station is available.
The ability to refuel quickly could become one of the main advantages of the hydrogen-powered pickup. Toyota says that refuelling fuel-cell vehicles takes less than five minutes. The company also emphasises that the technology is particularly suitable for vehicles that require long driving ranges, high loads and minimal downtime.
For comparison, the electric Hilux can travel up to 257 km under the WLTP cycle, while its claimed towing capacity is around 1.6–2 tonnes. The hydrogen version is therefore expected to offer a longer range and greater towing capability while retaining the benefits of an electric motor.
The main challenge — hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
Despite the advantages of the technology, the hydrogen-powered Hilux faces one major limitation — infrastructure. The network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Europe is still significantly smaller than the network of conventional petrol stations and EV charging points. Toyota itself notes that the full development of hydrogen transport depends on the availability of a sufficient number of hydrogen stations and access to so-called green hydrogen.
European regulations provide for the development of hydrogen refuelling stations at intervals of up to 200 km along key TEN-T transport corridors, but Toyota points out that the required infrastructure is still far from fully deployed.
For a Hilux owner, this means that although the vehicle will technically be able to refuel quickly and cover long distances, in practice the route will depend heavily on the location of hydrogen stations.
Toyota continues to invest in hydrogen technologies. The company has been working on fuel cells since 1992 and introduced its first production hydrogen passenger car, the Mirai, in 2014. Toyota’s current strategy includes the use of hydrogen systems not only in passenger cars, but also in trucks, buses and other types of heavy-duty transport.
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Photos: autokinito.com.cy
