Toyota deploys hydrogen-powered VDL Groep freight trucks for European supply chain logistics

Toyota, a global leader in automotive manufacturing, has announced a collaboration with Subaru to develop the next generation of hydrogen fuel cell systems for both passenger and commercial vehicles. This partnership is part of Toyota's broader initiative to contribute to the growth of the hydrogen economy.

The collaboration with BMW also aims to support this vision. Toyota's president and representative director, Koji Sato, stated that they will accelerate their efforts with BMW and partners across various industries to realize a future where hydrogen energy supports society.

Toyota's foray into hydrogen-powered transportation is evident in its logistics operations. The company's logistics providers, Ceva Logistics, Groupe Cat, Vos Transport, and Yusen Logistics, are already using hydrogen-powered trucks provided by Toyota.

These trucks, driven by a vibration-free electric motor, offer several advantages. They deliver similar performance to diesel trucks but with zero tailpipe emissions, making them a sustainable choice for transportation. The reduced noise and disturbance they produce also improve driver comfort and minimise disruption to communities.

The first hydrogen fuel cell truck was delivered to Toyota by VDL Groep in February, following an agreement signed in 2023. Since then, Toyota has added four more trucks to the logistics routes, following trials with a demonstration truck built by VDL Groep.

The trucks are currently being used on logistics routes between Diest, Belgium, and various destinations including Lille, France; Cologne, Germany; Rotterdam; and Weesp, Netherlands. Hydrogen refueling stations will be installed along these routes to ensure the trucks' continuous operation.

Toyota's initiative aims to reach carbon neutrality in its logistics operations by 2040. Hans Bekkers, director of business development at VDL Special Vehicles, expressed pride in being at the forefront of the emission-free transport revolution together with Toyota.

The joint effort between Toyota and VDL Groep focuses on increasing understanding of the use of hydrogen trucks on public roads, which will be crucial for the ecological energy transition in Europe. The collaboration between Toyota and BMW has now entered a new stage, focusing on the joint development of next-generation fuel cell systems and the expansion of infrastructure.

The Toyota Parts Centre Europe processes more than 500,000 parts a day, and it is here that the hydrogen-powered trucks are being used for transporting parts. This move towards hydrogen-powered transportation is a significant step towards Toyota's goal of a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.

Toyota deploys hydrogen-powered VDL Groep freight trucks for European supply chain logistics