Toyota Hilux hydrogen FCEV specs revealed as testing begins in the UK
While engineers work on the Toyota Hilux EV in Thailand, engineers in Europe are concentrating efforts on another project – the Toyota Hilux hydrogen FCEV. Toyota, with the help of its consortium partners D2H Advanced Technologies, ETL, Ricardo, and Thatcham Research and backed by financial support from the UK government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre, has built ten prototypes of the Hilux FCEV at its factory in Derby, England.
Toyota has deployed five prototypes of the Hilux hydrogen FCEV in the field to examine safety, durability, performance, and functionality in real-world situations. The company is using the remaining five prototypes to incite consumer interest in the model and demonstrate it to the media at the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.
Toyota has built hydrogen fuel cell prototypes on the extended cab version of the Hilux, and they measure 5,325 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width, and 1,810 mm in height. Three tanks, each with a capacity of 2.6 kg, allow these prototypes to store a total of 7.8 of compressed hydrogen gas. Toyota expects that to be enough to cover a distance of 600 km.
A chemical reaction resulting from the combination of the hydrogen and the oxygen from the air in the fuel cell stack generates electricity. The FC stack is mounted above the front axle and consists of 330 polymer electrolyte cells A lithium-ion battery located in the rear load deck, above the hydrogen tanks, stores this electricity. The electric motor is at the back and generates 134 kW and 300 Nm of torque to spin the rear wheels.
The field testing and customer engagement activities are part of the final phase of the Toyota Hilux hydrogen FCEV project. Toyota hasn’t said when it’ll commercialise this zero-emission model if everything goes well. The company has indicated an intention to launch it, though, saying it expects Europe to be one of the largest hydrogen FCEV markets by 2030. As for the Hilux EV, it will enter production, for Thailand and other other markets yet to be known, by the end of 2025.
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