Toyota will use the new hydrogen trucks in their logistic fleet in an effort to reduce their overall emissions and bring the technology to the commercial sector
Toyota Motor Europe has partnered with Dutch VDL Groep (VDL) in an effort to break into the commercial market with heavy duty hydrogen fuel cell trucks. This comes as Toyota Europe try to reduce their overall emissions with the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2040, no mean feat being a manufacturer.
However, Toyota are the driving force being hydrogen fuel cells at the moment, and so the trucks will be using their latest technology. Hans Bekkers, Commercial Director VDL Special Vehicles, said: “VDL Special Vehicles believes in a zero emission future for medium and heavy-duty on and off-road equipment. We are therefore extremely proud to work with Toyota on this innovative technology project, which will allow us to expand our activities in hydrogen drivelines.”
It is clear that currently, electric is not the option for the commercial sector, the range and refuelling characteristics just aren’t quite there yet for long-haul transportation. Hydrogen though, could be the answer.
Well, maybe. Hydrogen does also present some problems, not so much the technology, but with the infrastructure. Currently in the UK, there are only 15 hydrogen fuel stations, yes, 15. Of course, you could have a hydrogen fuel station at the depot, but this doesn’t help when you’re on route and need fuel.
However, the more companies that get behind the technology, the faster it will improve, we already know the benefits of hydrogen, and with more manufacturers getting behind synthetic fuel, it is looking ever likely that buyers will have a choice when it comes to how their vehicle is powered. But the biggest change needs to happen in the haulage industry, and that’s what VDL and Toyota are hoping to happen.
Leon Van Der Merwe, Supply Chain Vice President at TME, said: “We are excited to begin this project with VDL Groep, as it will allow us to further decarbonise the long-haul transport of our components, vehicles and service parts. Heavy-duty trucks will remain an important pillar in our multimodal strategy, and the introduction of zero emission trucks, equipped with our Toyota fuel cell modules, will have a strong impact on the overall carbon reduction of our logistics.”
