Toyota and Scania have announced a partnership to advance hydrogen fuel cell solutions for heavy-duty mobility through real-world logistics operations. 

In this collaboration, Toyota will supply fuel cell systems for 40 heavy-duty vehicles within Scania’s Pilot Partner programme. The programme brings Scania together with selected customers to evaluate a wide range of sustainable transport technologies, including hydrogen fuel cell system, under real operating conditions. As zero-emissions heavy-duty fuel cell applications continue to expand, this initiative is expected to deliver confirmation of technical performance, operational efficiency and total cost of ownership. By integrating Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technology into this framework, the partnership will evaluate how fuel cell electric trucks can support demanding heavy-duty transport operations.

The vehicles will be equipped with Toyota’s latest third-generation fuel cell system, which delivers 300 kW of power in a highly compact design for heavy-duty applications and a wide range of other use cases.

The first Scania hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks will start operating during the first quarter of 2027.

We believe heavy-duty transport is key to building hydrogen demand and infrastructure. Furthermore, we believe hydrogen is the right solution for demanding heavy-duty applications, where long range, high utilisation and operational efficiency are essential. By bringing Toyota’s third-generation fuel cell system into Scania customers’ logistics operations, together we are taking an important step towards enabling hydrogen-powered mobility to play a larger role across Europe’s heavy-duty transport industry. Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corporation.

We are pleased to partner with Toyota to explore how fuel cell technology performs in demanding real-world transport operations. Through our Pilot Partner programme, we work with selected customers to test new technologies in actual use cases, learn from their experience and develop our solutions further. This collaboration will give us valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with hydrogen fuel cell technology in heavy-duty transport. Sara Forsberg, Chief Technology Officer, Scania

Toyota will share more information at its IAA Transportation press conference on 14 September.