Toyota has successfully secured UK Government funding worth £11.3 million to develop and build a hydrogen-powered version of its Hilux pick up. The funding will enable the company to develop hydrogen technologies for the commercial vehicle market over the next three years. 

The cash will cover the development of a hydrogen fuel cell electric Hilux, working in collaboration with UK-based technical engineering partners Ricardo, ETL, D2H and Thatcham Research. 

The project will make use of components from Toyota’s second generation fuel cell system, as featured in the Toyota Mirai saloon, to convert a Hilux into a fuel cell electric vehicle. 

Within the scope of the funding bid, initial prototype Hilux vehicles will be produced at Burnaston during 2023. Once results have been secured, the intention is to prepare the vehicle for small series production. 

Hydrogen fuel cells are seen as a promising technology by some companies, as they allow fast refuelling compared to conventional battery electric vehicles. However, there is a lack of refuelling infrastructure in the UK and producing hydrogen from electricity is less efficient than charging a battery. 

Matt Harrison, Toyota Motor Europe President and CEO, said: “The UK is one of the key markets for pick-up trucks and 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 powertrain for the Toyota Hilux, supporting our carbon neutrality ambition.”

The Hilux will use the fuel cell guts from a Mirai