Toyota and Scania partner on hydrogen fuel cell trucks

Automotive manufacturers are advancing hydrogen fuel cell technology for heavy-duty transport in Europe through new partnerships and warnings regarding infrastructure. Toyota and Scania have launched a collaboration to test 40 hydrogen-powered Scania trucks equipped with Toyota’s third-generation fuel cell systems. These vehicles will participate in Scania’s Pilot Partner programme, undergoing real-world logistics testing to evaluate technical performance, efficiency, and total cost of ownership, with operations expected to begin in early 2027.

In a similar development, IVECO and Toyota are working under the EU-funded Empower – Horizont Europe project to develop next-generation fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). The IVECO S-eWay Fuel Cell utilizes Toyota fuel cells to achieve a 900km range and 300kW of power, aiming to reduce vehicle weight by requiring only half the battery capacity of previous models.

However, Daimler Truck has issued a warning that the transition to zero-emission heavy vehicles may be hindered by insufficient charging and refueling infrastructure. The company noted that current market adoption of battery-electric heavy trucks is low, with only 2% of sales in 2025. Daimler warned that if the industry fails to meet EU CO2 reduction targets due to these infrastructure gaps, manufacturers could face significant financial penalties.