Toyota Motor Europe has announced the creation of a new local organization: the Hydrogen factory in Europewho will be responsible for marketing the technology and modules hydrogen, from development to production and sales. This hydrogen plant will allow Toyota to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040.

“Europe has strong confidence in hydrogen, just like us”Thibaut Paquet, vice president of Toyota Motor Europe and director of the Fuel Cell Business division, said on the occasion: “We will continue to develop passenger and light fuel cell vehicles while expanding our heavy-duty operations to support the expansion of a viable hydrogen infrastructure. We intend to continue to grow and learn through trials within our own network and with partners who share our approach. »

Toyota predicts this Europe will become one of the largest markets for hydrogen fuel cells in the world by 2030 thanks to significant investments: at least 45 billion euros will be invested by 2027 as part of the European Commission’s Green Deal.

Hydrogen Factory Europe will accelerate Toyota’s hydrogen strategy

The Japanese company released the first sedan hydrogen fuel cell was produced in series, with the Toyota Mirai in 2015, followed by the second generation in 2020, which included second-generation fuel cell technology. It was also found this year on the new Toyota Crown sold in Japan, confirming the brand’s interest in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Indeed, this technology allows you to offer high autonomy while saving refueling speed thermal vehicles. Toyota is currently working on a Hilux hydrogen fuel cell pickup prototype and is interested in the market for heavy-duty hydrogen trucks sold by French manufacturer Hyliko and Dutch company VDL Groep, which are used by the Japanese firm to decarbonize its own logistics operations.

Toyota has also partnered with Norwegian company Corvus to deploy hydrogen solutions in marine applications such as boats and ships. In addition, French company GCK will use fuel cell modules from Toyota to convert its diesel buses into hydrogen vehicles.

Towards a new generation of fuel cells

Toyota continues its hydrogen activities by developing a technology of hydrogen fuel cells of the new generation. The company already promises first-class performance with extended life cycles and reduced costs.

This new technology should be commercialized in 2026, and will feature increased power density, as well as 20% increased autonomy while reducing production costs by more than a third. Toyota is also interested in design scalable fuel cells with different power and complex shaped fuel tanks to install its technology in vehicles of different sizes.

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