Toyota Motor Europe has been collaborating with vehicle manufacturer VDL Groep in order to develop hydrogen fuel cell trucks. Now, the global automotive group has started using those zero-emission trucks for its own logistics requirements. More into details, Toyota has now deployed four more vehicles on its logistics routes across Belgium (Diest), France (Lille), Germany (Cologne), and the Netherlands (Rotterdam and Weesp).
Toyota’s efforts in view of hydrogen fuel cell trucks
Indeed, according to Toyota, the four 40-tonne fuel cell trucks deliver similar performance as diesel trucks, but with zero tailpipe emissions. Each vehicle can travel up to 400 km on a single refuelling under real-world driving conditions. Additionally, the vibration-free electric motor reduces disturbance to the community the truck passes through, while significantly improving driving comfort. The trucks are equipped with state-of-the-art fuel cells made by Toyota itself.
“This initiative is in line with Toyota’s goal to reach carbon neutrality in its logistics operations by 2040, but it also aims to contribute to growing the hydrogen economy”, stated Thiebault Paquet, Vice President R&D, Toyota Motor Europe. “Heavy-duty fuel cell trucks can boost the demand for hydrogen, which is one of the key contributors along with the implementation of the EU’s Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). Together with our logistics providers, we aim to gather learnings from the daily operation of our first hydrogen-powered logistics fleet and further improve the vehicles and operational processes”.
