Toyota's Hydrogen Trucks Are Set to Challenge Diesel and They're Gaining Momentum | Carscoops

      Toyota's new hydrogen system can operate for 600,000 miles without requiring a major service.

      On April 29, 2025, at 09:11,

      by Brad Anderson

      Toyota is set to introduce hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks to support its parts center.

      A hydrogen fueling station will be established in California in collaboration with Air Liquide and Iwatani.

      The third-generation hydrogen powertrain boasts double the durability and a 1.2 times enhancement in fuel efficiency.

      Although hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have not gained traction as Toyota had hoped, the company remains optimistic about the technology's future. Recently, Toyota announced its plans to roll out hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 heavy-duty trucks in California to assist its extensive parts center in the region.

      These trucks have already undergone testing in a pilot program and will soon be deployed on routes from the Port of Long Beach to the NAPCC in Ontario, California, and down to San Diego. To facilitate this new fleet of eco-friendly trucks, Toyota will also build a hydrogen fueling station at its parts center.

      According to reports, Toyota's new station, developed in partnership with Air Liquide and Iwatani, promises to enable quicker fueling compared to traditional hydrogen stations, matching the refueling speed of high-flow diesel pumps.

      At the 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo, Jordan Choby, Toyota Group Vice President of Powertrain Engineering, stated that the new fuel cell trucks will replace several diesel vehicles currently servicing the North America Parts Center in California.

      "Hydrogen as a fuel, particularly through fuel cells, presents advantages that can drive positive change, and we're committed to their long-term success," Choby remarked. "We are channeling resources into initiatives we believe will enable sustainable growth for both our operations and the entire value chain in this evolving transportation landscape."

      In addition to deploying a fleet of hydrogen heavy-duty trucks, Toyota is also enhancing its hydrogen powertrains. Earlier this year, the company announced the development of a third-generation version of its heavy-duty truck powertrain, which promises double the durability, a 1.2 times improvement in fuel efficiency, and significant cost reductions. This new powertrain can operate for 600,000 miles or 1 million kilometers without a major service.

      Looking forward to 2027,

      Toyota indicated that the new powertrain will be ready for the U.S. market in 2027 or beyond. It will play a crucial role in Toyota's comprehensive strategy to decarbonize its supply chain and further integrate hydrogen into its logistics operations.

      While consumers may not yet be flocking to purchase fuel cell vehicles, Toyota appears confident that hydrogen’s moment in the heavy-duty transport sector is approaching.