Hydrogen trucks from VDL and Toyota: A Step toward Emission-Free Transport! VDL Special Vehicles and Toyota Deliver Hydrogen Trucks.
Hydrogen trucks from VDL and Toyota: A Step toward Emission-Free Transport! VDL Special Vehicles and Toyota Deliver Hydrogen Trucks.
Eindhoven, Netherlands - In May 2023, the cooperation between VDL Special Vehicles and Toyota Motor Europe (TME) was announced as an important milestone in the transition to sustainable transport solutions. We are proud to produce TME’s first hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks resulting from this promising collaboration. Equipped with Toyota's advanced fuel cell technology, these demo trucks are not just a step forward, but a leap towards a lower carbon Europe.
Cooperation with a Purpose
With as many as four different transport companies as partners and users - VOS Deventer, CEVA, CAT and Yusen - these hydrogen trucks will be operational on crucial routes in Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Part of this project is the (anticipated) presence of hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) [KH1] along these routes, ensuring reliable operation and the smooth integration of hydrogen into logistics. The project not only provides an interesting test platform for the hydrogen truck, but also lays the foundation for a sustainable hydrogen infrastructure that meets European requirements.
Knowledge Sharing and Ecological Transition
Hans Bekkers, director of business development at VDL Special Vehicles, says: “We are proud to be at the forefront of the emission-free transport revolution together with Toyota. Alternative powertrains are essential for an emission-free future and our collaboration with Toyota's fuel cell technology represents one such alternative solution. This joint effort focuses on increasing understanding of the use of hydrogen trucks on public roads, which will be crucial for the ecological energy transition in Europe.”
The Power of Flexibility
Thiebault Paquet (Vice President, R&D2 and Head of Hydrogen Factory Europe) of Toyota Motor Europe emphasizes the importance of the collaboration: “VDL Special Vehicles has proven to be the ideal partner for the implementation of our fuel cell technology. Their experience with innovative technology and their flexibility have helped us to significantly progress towards our ambition for a zero-emission mobility.” VDL Special Vehicles' short lines of communication and solution-oriented approach have been essential to the success of this project, according to Paquet.
The Future of Sustainable Transport
With the joint efforts of Toyota and VDL Special Vehicles, we are not only taking an important step towards a cleaner future, but also towards the creation of more zero-emission mobility solutions. This five-year experiment can serve as a catalyst for the expansion of hydrogen refueling stations in Europe and offers a win-win situation for the environment and transport sector.