Colour me puzzled by this curious bit of reports. Toyota is teaming up with Daimler Truck and the Volvo Group to advance the event of hydrogen-fuel-cell tech for zero-emissions heavy responsibility autos.
The three automakers will change into equal shareholders in Cellcentric, a three way partnership engaged on fuel-cell tech for cargo vans and autos designed for off-road heavy responsibility purposes. It already existed as an independently working entity sustained by Daimler and Volvo; the information is that Toyota is becoming a member of the fold.
These forces mixed will develop, produce and commercialize fuel-cell techniques for such autos, manufacture the core elements of gasoline cells, and likewise help the event of hydrogen provide and infrastructure.
cellcentric – Firm Movie
That is nice, however I am nonetheless scratching my head over why these corporations are bothering to take action – particularly Toyota. Making an attempt to determine that out has revealed some fascinating details.
For starters, Toyota has been growing fuel-cell tech for over three many years, starting all the way back in 1992. And since 2014, it has been making the Mirai, a hydrogen-powered sedan whose newest version is priced at simply over US$50,000, and has been the corporate’s worst-selling mannequin for the final two years – only 210 units reportedly sold last year. By some means, it is still managed to find itself on Toyota’s 2026 roster.
Toyota
I do not imply to get hung up on the failure of this specific automobile right here. However the factor is, for those who purchase a Mirai within the US, you possibly can solely realistically drive it in California, as a result of it is the one state that has a handful of hydrogen refueling stations. That speaks to the state of fuel-cell infrastructure within the nation. Europe’s hydrogen refueling infrastructure for heavy vans is still very much in its early construction phase too.
And whereas I simply went over automobiles, it is value noting that Toyota really has expertise growing fuel-cell techniques for heavy responsibility autos too. Again in 2023, it collaborated with VDL to construct a hydrogen-powered truck, with a view to check it over 5 years (you possibly can see it on the high of our story).
The corporate additionally launched Japan’s first commercial hydrogen-powered truck final yr, with over 400 miles (650 km) of vary, over a five-year partnership with its subsidiary Hino Motors. It’s also possible to buy a Kenworth truck stateside with twin motors and fuel-cell tech from Toyota on board for 450 miles (724 km) of emissions-free driving.
Hino Motors
I initially discovered this transfer odd just because I am much more used to listening to about developments and proliferation in battery electrical tech and infrastructure. We’re getting higher at squeezing out extra vary from lithium-ion batteries, and we’re simply starting to see solid-state batteries give the previous a run for his or her cash with an extended lasting, quicker charging, and safer various.
That begs the query, why hassle with hydrogen?
Properly, the official phrase is that that is a technique automakers intend to chop emissions, and so they’ll take wins wherever they will discover ’em. Certainly, Daimler Truck CEO Karin Rådström famous on this three way partnership press launch: “This may allow us to strengthen growth and additional scale hydrogen know-how, which we consider enhances battery-electric drives in decarbonizing transport.”
PACCAR Inc
Toyota has previously said its goal with the event of hydrogen-based techniques is “to reduce the environmental affect of our actions, lowering them to zero the place doable.” In reality, it plans to change into absolutely carbon impartial by 2040. So if it may well rating inexperienced factors someplace on the earth with the know-how it is gained during the last 34 years, that may solely be a very good factor.
I think about that by way of the Cellcentric effort, Toyota will additional its mission to decarbonize trucking in Europe, the place infrastructure is slated to ramp up within the subsequent few years and look considerably usable by 2030. It is making massive designs on battery-electric techniques for shopper autos – launching a number of EVs and investing closely in manufacturing within the US – so these two tracks might run parallel within the close to future.
So yeah, larger bets on hydrogen gasoline cells weren’t on my 2026 bingo card. But when it means extra inexperienced vans, I will take it.
Supply: Daimler Truck North America
