Toyota has announced that it is leading a consortium to develop a Hilux prototype powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Led by Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK), the consortium consists of technical partners such as Ricardo, European Thermodynamics (ETL), D2H and Thatcham Research.
According to the Japanese carmaker, TMUK has already successfully secured funding for the project from the United Kingdom government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), an organisation supporting the development of cleaner technologies and new mobility concepts. This funding specifically supports later stage R&D that takes a product from proof of concept to prototype vehicles.
The upcoming prototype will adopt fuel cell components like those used in the current Mirai, and based on the images provided, the Hilux prototype will have its hydrogen tanks stored beneath the cab and the fuel cell stack occupying the engine bay. Power generated will be sent to power a rear electric motor, although Toyota isn’t revealing full specifications for now.
“The UK is one of the key markets for pick-up trucks and is an important market for Toyota. This funding represents a tremendous opportunity to develop a zero-emission solution in a critical market segment. We would like to thank the UK government for the funding that will enable the consortium to investigate the development of a fuel cell powered powertrain for the Toyota Hilux, supporting our carbon neutrality ambition,” said Matt Harrison, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.
Toyota has already expressed its interest in offering zero-emission commercial vehicles before, as last year, the carmaker presented a concept for an EV pick-up truck. While it doesn’t officially sell an all-electric Hilux just yet, there are companies that do offer conversions for the pick-up truck. The company’s decision to explore the feasibility of a hydrogen-powered Hilux is to find out if there’s a case to provide an additional application for its fuel cell technology
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UK pays the development of a car to be build in Thailand. Good news for the Thais!
If a car exists for geopolitical reasons, it won’t stay for your when that reason changes. Don’t buy into this hype.
Then you don’t buy this car if you don’t like. Simple it’s that
KaBOOM pyrotechnics ala Zeppelin blimp on the road soon