Traton boss Renschler says fuel cells “certainly an option”

In an interview with German media, Traton boss Andreas Renschler spoke about the existing cooperation between the VW commercial vehicle division and Toyota subsidiary Hino. Joint work has begun in Germany and Japan.

The last time we heard about the joint project was in September 2018. Now they are driving electrification it appears. In addition to purchasing parts together, Traton has established e-mobility team “to clarify which modules we can jointly develop for an electric drive,” Renschler told the German business paper.

The executive added that “Hino complements Traton perfectly because they are very successful in Asia for small and medium-sized trucks. Besides, they are very far ahead in the future topic of fuel cells and hydrogen, and here, too, we are doing well together”. Hino and its parent company Toyota had announced just a few days ago that they intended to equip a 12-meter truck with a total weight of 25 tons with two fuel cell stacks from the Toyota Mirai based on the Hino Profia.

According to Renschler, Traton wants to concentrate initially on battery electric trucks in terms of electrification. Still, the fuel cell is “certainly an option” for the future drive of commercial vehicles. “We are on the fuel cell truck. You’ll be surprised when the first one comes along,” said Renschler in a telling manner.

He did not rule out the further intensification of the cooperation – even in response to direct inquiries as to whether the collaboration could lead to a merger. “In Japan, people think in very concrete projects, not in big pictures. These will emerge over time or not,” said the Traton boss.

wiwo.de (in German)