With the unveiling of the Hilux prototype with a hydrogen fuel cell system, Toyota has reached another milestone in its journey towards a zero-carbon future.
The prototype once again clearly shows the scope and powertrain solutions Toyota implements its zero-carbon mobility strategy – to meet the different needs of users and work environments around the world, the manufacturer offers hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric power units.
Toyota Hilux Hydrogen
The revolutionary pick-up truck was unveiled at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s car plant in Derby, England. It was developed in a joint project with the consortium partners, but financial support for the implementation of the project was provided by the UK government. The Hilux is a global Toyota brand icon with a reputation for exceptional reliability and durability. The development project explored how these characteristics could be maintained by introducing a new zero-emission fuel cell electric powertrain to the model.
Car profile
The new power unit uses key elements of the Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric sedan. Less than 10 years of commercial production of this technology has proven its quality, and the only emissions during use of the fuel cell system are pure water.
Toyota Hilux Hydrogen (Publicity photo)
The hydrogen is stored in three high-pressure tanks and, when fully charged, provides the prototype with a tentative range of more than 600 km – significantly more than could be achieved with a battery-electric system [Tesla Cybertruck – 800km, Ford F-150 Lightning – 515 km, Rivian R1T – 640 km, Hummer EV – 610 km]. The hybrid battery, which stores the generated electricity, is placed in the rear cargo deck, so it has no negative impact on the car’s cabin capacity.
Project history
The origins of the project can be traced back to the introduction of 2022, when TMUK and Toyota Motor Europe conducted its feasibility study. Funding was then secured from the UK government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre, a non-profit organization that supports the development of cleaner technologies and new mobility concepts. With additional support from Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), TMUK and consortium partners Ricardo, ETL, D2H Advanced Technologies and Thatcham Research began an intensive design and development program on 1 July 2022.
Toyota Hilux Hydrogen (Publicity photo)
Assembly of the prototype in accordance with the principles of the Toyota production system began on June 5 this year in a special place at the TMUK factory. The first hydrogen cell Hilux was completed just three weeks later. A total of 10 such cars will be built by the end of this year, and all will undergo rigorous testing to ensure that their safety, performance, dynamics, functionality and durability meet the high standards required of production models.
The project has enabled TMUK to develop and use new skills in fuel cell cars and hydrogen system components. All consortium partners played an extremely important role already in the initial phase of the program. For example, Ricardo performed various design and development tasks, as well as planned the entire production process in parallel with specialists from TMUK. Ricardo will carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the car in the coming months, and only then will a decision be made whether it will go into series production in the second half of this decade.
A charged opinion
We won’t be surprised if this prototype never makes it to production… If Toyota doesn’t want to develop this themselves without UK support, what are the chances of it making it to the masses? Not to mention that there is no one to develop a hydrogen filling network. Existing hydrogen stations in California and the UK shut down. As well as those 600 km (actually ~400 km) in Latvia means that you would be afraid to drive to Liepāja, because potentially the only Baltic hydrogen filling station in Riga may turn out to be unreachable or out of working hours (it is located at the fenced terminus of Riga Traffic).
It’s worth digging into just how extreme the incentives are now for fuel cell vehicles. In California buyers are eligible for the state subsidy (up to $7,500), national tax credit (up to $7,500), plus up to $30,000 in manufacturer cash back, and a $15,000 fuel card.
— Colin Mckerrache (@colinmckerrache) September 6, 2023
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2023-09-07 05:46:14
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