Toyota has added four more hydrogen fuel cell trucks for automotive parts distribution between its European parts centre in Belgium and locations in France, Germany and the Netherlands.
Toyota has started using hydrogen fuel cell trucks to move parts from its European parts centre in Diest, Belgium, to locations in France, Germany and the Netherlands.
Following trials with a demonstration truck built by VDL Groep, Toyota has now added four more trucks on logistics routes between Diest, Lille (France), Cologne (Germany), Rotterdam and Weesp (Netherlands). The trucks can travel 400km on one tank of hydrogen under real-world driving conditions, according to Toyota. VDL Groep said that hydrogen refuelling stations will be installed along the routes travelled.
The carmaker’s logistics providers Ceva Logistics, Groupe Cat, Vos Transport and Yusen Logistics are using the trucks. The 40-tonne fuel cell trucks deliver similar performance to diesel trucks but with zero tailpipe emissions, according to Toyota. Working with its logistics providers Toyota will continue to evaluate performance in daily operations from Toyota Parts Centre Europe. The centre processes more than 500,000 parts a day.
“This initiative is in line with Toyota’s goal to reach carbon neutrality in its logistics operations by 2040, but it also aims to contribute to growing the hydrogen economy,” said Thiebault Paquet, vice-president of research and design at Toyota Motor Europe. “Heavy-duty fuel cell trucks can boost the demand for hydrogen, which is one of the key contributors along with the implementation of the EU’s Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). Together with our logistics providers, we aim to gather learnings from the daily operation of our first hydrogen-powered logistics fleet and further improve the vehicles and operational processes.”
Toyota added that as the vehicles are driven by a vibration-free electric motor there is less noise created thereby reducing any disturbance to the communities the trucks pass through and driver comfort is improved.
The first hydrogen fuel cell truck was delivered to Toyota by VDL Groep in February, following an agreement signed in 2023. Hans Bekkers, director of business development at VDL Special Vehicles, said earlier this year: “We are proud to be at the forefront of the emission-free transport revolution together with Toyota. Alternative powertrains are essential for an emission-free future and our collaboration with Toyota’s fuel cell technology represents one such alternative solution. This joint effort focuses on increasing understanding of the use of hydrogen trucks on public roads, which will be crucial for the ecological energy transition in Europe.”
Toyota has also been working closely with BMW to develop a next-generation hydrogen fuel cell system for both passenger and commercial vehicles. In September last year Koji Sato, Toyota’s president and representative director said the collaboration had entered a new stage and the two carmakers were working on the joint development of next-generation fuel cell systems and the expansion of infrastructure. “We will accelerate our efforts together with BMW and partners across various industries to realise a future where hydrogen energy supports society,” he said.
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