Hydrogen fuel cell trucks reduce the carbon emissions of Toyota Logistics in Europe

* Using Toyota’s fuel cell modules, VDL Groep will convert existing heavy trucks into zero-emission vehicles
* Logistics partners will use the new fuel cell trucks for the needs of Toyota Motor Europe’s logistics network
* The decarbonisation of Toyota’s logistics network marks another step towards reducing the company’s overall carbon footprint

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has partnered with Dutch company VDL Groep (VDL) to break into the European market for zero-emission hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks using Toyota’s fuel cell technology. The cooperation aims to accelerate decarbonization in the transport and logistics sector, which is an important factor in fulfilling TME’s goals for the realization of a strategy of completely neutral carbon dioxide emissions by 2040.

TME sees significant potential in using hydrogen-powered trucks for lower carbon emissions on its logistics routes. The lower mass of hydrogen systems allows for greater truck load capacity, and fast hydrogen charging is an advantage for high-efficiency transportation. A truck can be filled with hydrogen fuel as quickly as diesel, and with the increasing demand for hydrogen, the ways in which trucks are used position them as key factors in developing the quality of sustainable infrastructure on the most important supply routes.

– The company VDL Special Vehicles believes in the future of medium and heavy trucks with zero emissions, intended for driving both on roads and on uneven surfaces. Therefore, we are extremely proud to be working with Toyota Motor Europe on this innovative technological project that will allow us to expand our activities to hydrogen drives – says Hans Bekkers, Commercial Director of VDL Special Vehicles.

VDL Groep will produce the first fuel cell truck by the summer of 2023, followed by the production of more vehicles in autumn 2023 that will be tested on TME’s logistics lines. The project will consolidate knowledge on how to use fuel cell trucks, while supporting the company’s long-term vision of decarbonization in the logistics sector and reducing Toyota’s carbon footprint, which represents a step forward in relation to the electrification of passenger vehicles.

– We are excited to start this project with VDL Groep, as it will allow us to further reduce carbon emissions when transporting our components, vehicles and service parts over long distances. Heavy trucks will remain an important pillar of our multimodal strategy, and the introduction of zero-emission trucks, equipped with Toyota’s fuel cell modules, will have a strong effect on the overall carbon reduction of our logistics – explained Leon Van Der Merwe, vice president of procurement at Toyota Motor Europe.

Fuel cell trucks also play a key role in the development of the wider European hydrogen ecosystem, strongly supporting the decarbonisation of transport and the green energy transition. Heavy vehicles are crucial in creating a healthy supply and demand for hydrogen. Profitable results will stimulate the development of sustainable infrastructure, while also enabling other new mobility applications to be realized. The infrastructure for hydrogen trucks can easily be extended to other hydrogen vehicles that can use the same refueling stations. This new truck development project is one of many that Toyota has recently implemented with multiple partners, including those related to light commercial vehicles, ships, trains and buses, with the aim of accelerating the transition to the hydrogen economy.

PR announcement