Now there’s another major player in the hydrogen fuel cell electric truck market – with Toyota Motor North America and Hino USA announcing that they are jointly developing a heavy-duty FCET for the North American market.
The companies say they will use Hino’s bonneted XL Series chassis for North America, combined with Toyota’s proven fuel cell technology, to “deliver exceptional capability without harmful emissions.”
It’s a collaboration that builds on their JV to develop a 25-tonne medium-duty FCET for the Japanese market, announced in March this year.
The North American project will see a demo truck on the road in the first half of next year.
Tak Yokoo, Toyota R&D senior executive engineer says: “A fuel cell powered version of the Hino XL Series is a win-win for both customers and the community. It will be quiet, smooth and powerful – while emitting nothing but water.
“Toyota’s twenty-plus years of fuel cell technology, combined with Hino’s heavy-duty truck experience will create an innovative and capable product.”
“Expanding upon our proud heritage of the Hino powertrain, Toyota fuel cell technology offers our customers a commercially viable, extended range, zero emissions vehicle in the near term,” says Hino senior VP customer experience Glenn Ellis.
“Hino shares a common focus with Toyota when it comes to durability, reliability, and innovation, with the customer at the centre of design – which makes this collaboration a game changer.”
Hino terms the JV Project Z – its path to zero emissions trucks, ranging from light-duty to heavy-duty.
In a live online event launching Project Z, it showcased zero emissions vehicles with a range of power systems, including Australian SEA Electric drives, Toyota hydrogen fuel cells and Hino battery electric drives.
Working with a variety of technology leaders will result in a sustainable, low-cost product lineup, it says.
The schedule will see demo vehicles within the next eight months, customer trials in 2022 and production before 2024.
Hino USA says there are more details to come on the technologies to be included in Project Z.