Batteries or fuel cells: the argument over the best technology for heavy-duty transport over longer distances is not yet settled, but Toyota is betting on hydrogen for now. The car manufacturer has decided to expand the number of hydrogen trucks by four to five in total after a one-and-a-half-year test. The trucks will be used to transport car parts on routes between its European distribution centre in Diest, Belgium, and locations in Rotterdam, Weesp, Lille and Cologne.
The hydrogen trucks were built by VDL Groep, which used Toyota's fuel cell system to do so. The 40-tonne trucks deliver similar performance to diesel trucks, but with zero emissions. Each vehicle can drive up to 400 kilometres on a full tank of gasoline. An additional advantage: the vibration-free electric motor means less nuisance for the environment and considerably more driving comfort.
CO2 neutral in 2040
In deploying the hydrogen trucks, Toyota is working closely with transport partners Vos Transport Group, CEVA Logistics, Groupe CAT and Yusen Logistics. Together with them, Toyota will continuously evaluate the performance of the fuel cell trucks in daily operations. "This initiative is in line with Toyota's goal of operatingcarbon-neutral logistics by 2040 and also contributes to the growth of the hydrogen economy," says Thiebault Paquet, vice president R&D at Toyota Motor Europe.
"Heavy fuel cell trucks can drive the demand for hydrogen. They are an essential part of the hydrogen economy, along with the implementation of the European Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). Together with our logistics partners, we want to draw lessons from the daily deployment of our first hydrogen-powered transport fleet to further improve both the vehicles and the operational processes."
