Toyota partners with Hyroad Energy to deploy 40 hydrogen fuel cell trucks in California
Under a new agreement between Toyota Motor North America and hydrogen-powered transportation solutions company Hyroad Energy, 40 hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 commercial trucks will be deployed to support Toyota's logistics operations in Southern California.
Toyota's agreement with Hyroad marks one of the largest commercial hydrogen truck deployments in the US
Toyota
The agreement between the two companies was announced on May 4, 2026, during an event in Las Vegas. It will see Hyroad provide trucks, maintenance, data and software services to support Toyota’s logistics operations.
Toyota has said the supply of hydrogen fuel will come from its own refuelling infrastructure, which is currently under development in Ontario, California.
In 2020, the California Energy Commission awarded $7.3 million for the first eight of 51 Shell hydrogen refuelling stations proposed through a $40.5 million, multi-year programme supported by Toyota and Honda.
Toyota's history with hydrogen fuel cell trucks in California
In 2017, Toyota launched 'Project Portal', a proof-of-concept programme using heavy-duty fuel-cell trucks powered by technology derived from the Toyota Mirai. Prototype drayage trucks began operating at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach to test hydrogen fuel-cell technology in freight operations.
In 2019, Toyota and Kenworth Trucks deployed 10 jointly developed heavy-duty fuel-cell trucks to move freight from the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long beach throughout the LA basin. The programme was supported by the development of heavy-duty hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in Wilmington and Ontario, California.
Then in 2023, Toyota announced an extension to its agreement with truckmaker Paccar to develop Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks powered by Toyota hydrogen fuel cells. As well as being used to move goods to and from the region’s ports, the trucks were used to move finished vehicles across Southern California, while four were dedicated to Toyota Logistics Services for the inland movement of parts.
And in 2024, Toyota opened its Tri-Gen facility at the Port of Long Beach, producing renewable hydrogen, electricity and water from biogas to support fuel-cell truck operations and port logistics activities.
Through this latest agreement, Toyota and Hyroad are aiming to bring together the interconnected pieces that a functioning hydrogen trucking ecosystem requires — vehicles, software and fuel supply — under a single commercial framework.
“Accelerating the hydrogen economy requires collaboration, and Toyota is proud to work with Hyroad to move the heavy-duty sector forward,” said Jason Zahorik, general manager at Toyota Hydrogen Solutions. “By bringing the critical elements together, we’re demonstrating how fuel cells create tangible value across supply chains while advancing a foundational pillar of the hydrogen economy. With hydrogen, we share a vision for cleaner, more powerful and more energy independent mobility.”
Toyota has reinforced its commitment to hydrogen fuel cell development and its investment in the hydrogen value chain, including fuel cell development and refuelling infrastructure, explaining that it sees commercial trucking as a critical proving ground for the hydrogen fuel ecosystem at scale.
As an OEM-agnostic operator rather than a manufacturer, Hyroad gathers vehicles from multiple sources –along with hydrogen supply, truck maintenance and software – combining these into a solution ready for fleets to use.
Hyroad acquired 117 hydrogen fuel cell trucks, spare parts, software platforms and IP assets from Nikola Corporation’s bankruptcy auction in August 2025, supporting the expansion of its service offerings to include comprehensive maintenance and support services for existing Nikola truck owners, software solutions for fleet management, repair services and parts supply.
“Toyota has done exactly what great allies do — they’ve brought genuine hydrogen expertise to the table and made thoughtful, strategic decisions,” commented Dmitry Serov, founder and CEO of Hyroad Energy. “They’re not waiting for someone else to build this ecosystem. They’re investing in it directly, and that’s what makes this meaningful. When fuelling, vehicles, software and operational commitment all come together, hydrogen trucking works.”
