Toyota Tries Hydrogen Fueled Hilux, Claimed To Have A Distance Of Up To 600 Km

Toyota Hilux FCEV. (Doc. Toyota UK)

JAKARTA - September last year, Toyota collaborated with the British government for 70 million or around IDR 1.3 trillion to present an alternative zero emissions vehicle suitable for various purposes in remote UK areas. The collaboration is in the form of hydrogen-fueled Hilux (FCEV).

Recently, this Japanese manufacturer has built 10 units of the Hilux FCEV prototype and the project has switched to the demonstration stage. The program will evaluate the use of hydrogen fuel in pickups.

Reporting from Carscoops, Monday, June 10, all units that have been built are assembled at a factory in Derby, England. Five of them are for customer and media demonstrations, including for the needs of the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in Paris, France.

At first glance, this pickup is similar to the regular model of the double-cabin variant with a length of 5,325 mm. Toyota replaces the internal system of diesel machines with a more environmentally friendly hydrogen powertrain.

The FCEV Hilux has three high-pressure hydrogen tanks connected to a formidable surface frame chassis, with a total capacity of up to 7.8 kg. Under the hood there is a pile of 330 cells of polymeric electrolyte fuel that produces energy, storing it in a lithium-ion battery placed behind.

Talking about its performance, the model has a single electric motor that produces 180 dk of power and 300 Nm of torque driven rear wheels. The manufacturer says that this powertrain has a light weight with a higher towing capacity, as well as offering a longer reach. According to Toyota, the Hilux FCEV model has a range of up to 600 km for one tank filling.

The manufacturer will also launch a third-generation hydrogen fuel cell system which is currently being developed and is expected to be realized in production cars starting in 2026 or 2027.

The third generation hydrogen fuel cell system is expected to offer an increase in reach by 20 percent and reduce costs by more than a third, from technological advances and increased production volume.