Toyota has taken a major step in the development of hydrogen propulsion with the unveiling of a prototype Hilux fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
Although the company's first FCEV was a car (the Mirai, on sale since 2014 and now into its second generation), commercial vehicles' need for quicker refuelling and longer range than batteries can presently provide makes them a better fit for the technology.
Toyota's new FCEV pick-up truck has a simulated range of 360 miles and a refuelling time similar to that of a diesel.
The project - which was funded, developed and delivered in the UK at Toyota's Burnaston plant - was given the go-ahead just 12 months ago. Since then, a team of engineers from Toyota and specialists from Ricardo, European Thermodynamics, D2H Advanced Technologies and Thatcham Research have adapted 10 Hilux development vehicles to accept the Mirai's powertrain and fuelling system.
One has been crash tested while on-road development continues with the others ahead of test vehicles being placed with potential customers, who include emergency services.
Despite the emergence of native FCEV truck makers Tevva and Hydrogen Vehicle Systems and the availability of FCEV cars (most notably the Mirai and Hyundai Nexo), the UK has been relatively slow to embrace hydrogen.
Currently, only around 15 stations offer the fuel publicly. However, that could be about to change, as a nationwide network of H₂ fuelling stations is being planned, with the first expected to open early next year at Teesside airport.
To be built by Yorkshire-based start-up Element2, the network will be part-funded by the UK government, the aim being to help drive its strategy to encourage 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity in the UK by 2030.
Esta historia es de la edición September 13, 2023 de Autocar UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 13, 2023 de Autocar UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
MG 4
An EV changes your driving style - but not to the detriment of pleasure
PEUGEOT E-208
Time with our French hatch is up. Is it good riddance or au revoir?
In the hot seat
Is the best automotive job in the world actually in miniature scale? Hot Wheels' design boss assures STEPHEN DOBIE it is
Correcting the record
Autocar invented the road test back in 1928 - or did we? KEITH JONES trawls the past to find the true starting point
Road test rebooted
As the Autocar road test forges into its second century, its brief is expanding and it's returning to a familiar place. MATT SAUNDERS explains
Cyber attack
MG is back on the international stage and now trying to return to its sports car roots. MATT SAUNDERS sees if the Cyberster EV can match up to a rival from the present and a relation from the past
KIA PICANTO
As rivals fall by the wayside, Kia's popular city car gets a makeover
MASERATI GRANTURISMO
Latest coupé in a long line of Maserati GT cars hits the UK with V6 power
PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS COUPE
New V8 model gets all the goodies
TOYOTA PRIUS
Back by popular demand with a cool new look and greater driver appeal