Two Helico fuel cell trucks, a 44-ton tractor and a 26-ton straight truck, will be equipped with two Toyota fuel cell modules.
Startup Hyliko plans to integrate Toyota’s second-generation hydrogen fuel cell modules into heavy-duty trucks to build a zero-emission fleet. This latest collaboration expands Toyota’s portfolio of partnerships through which it provides fuel cell technology to support hydrogen initiatives in diverse areas, including trains, buses, electric generators and marine.
Toyota Motor Europe’s (TME) fuel cell business is looking to expand into the broader commercial vehicle sector to help accelerate the growth of zero-emission hydrogen mobility. It sees great potential in trucks, which are currently responsible for transporting 77% of all European road freight.
The lower weight of a hydrogen fuel cell system compared to a combustion engine allows trucks to carry a heavier payload, while the speed of refueling means they won’t stay out of the road for as long, maintaining highly efficient usage rates. Their usage patterns and demand for larger quantities of hydrogen fuel position them as potential major contributors to the development of sustainable infrastructure.
Toyota is already working with multiple partners globally to integrate fuel cell technology into heavy-duty transportation. The ZANZEFF “Shore to Shop” project in the USA, launched in 2019, recently demonstrated that fuel cell electric trucks can match the performance of diesel vehicles and provide a zero-emission alternative ready for commercial deployment.
The partnership with France-based Hyliko represents another step towards TME’s vision for hydrogen ecosystems in Europe. As hydrogen represents a key pillar of Europe’s energy strategy, TME is prioritizing expansion into different types of fuel cell applications, stimulating supply and demand to develop viable business models. TME’s partnership strategy aims to develop synergies between different business sectors and support communities and industries that want to become full-fledged hydrogen corridors.
Thibault Paquet, Vice President R&D 2 at TME and Head of Fuel Cell Business, commented: “Hyliko is a dynamic start-up with a broad vision for hydrogen. It plans to offer all the main components of the eco-package: a fuel cell truck, green hydrogen supply, and a leasing and maintenance scheme. Having such a comprehensive, long-term view on the growth of a viable hydrogen ecosystem is essential for business sustainability and investor reassurance.
“Together with partners like Helico, we will continue to catalyze ecosystems across Europe towards a greater hydrogen society, as one of the building blocks for achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.”
Two models of fuel cell trucks
Hyliko will offer two fuel cell truck models: a 44-ton tractor and a 26-ton straight truck, available in 6×2 and 6×4 variants (pictured above). Each vehicle will be equipped with two Toyota fuel cell modules. As part of its truck leasing programme, Helico plans to introduce its own green hydrogen infrastructure, including fuel production, storage and distribution.
Ovarith Truong, CEO of Hyliko, said: “We are delighted to partner with Toyota, which will power our first vehicles with its hydrogen technology. Toyota’s fuel cell modules are known for their reliability and performance levels, and they are key components in the design and construction of our new hydrogen trucks. We also want to Developing clean and efficient vehicles for transporting goods on the roads, we are continuing efforts to introduce other important elements of our offer, which include the rental and maintenance of hydrogen trucks and the supply of hydrogen fuel. We are keen to unveil our new fuel cell truck in the near future and help achieve the decarbonisation goals of transport Road freight, a major sector of our economy.
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