Having already unveiled the hydrogen Toyota Hilux fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) project at the tail end of last year, the carmaker has peeled the covers off its first working prototype of the model on the shores of the Toyota Manufacturing UK plant in Derby, England.

Developed alongside consortium partners and supported by UK government funding, it's another building block in Toyota's vision of 'try one, try all' multi-pathway carbon-neutral motoring philosophy, which has so far seen the company go headlong in hybrids (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hydrogen combustion (HiCEV), and alternative fuels, beyond today's headline technology.

Also read: Every bit helps: How Toyota's multi-pathway approach can help Malaysia decarbonise

Hilux FCEV specs

Different from the hydrogen-combusting GR Corolla race car, hydrogen FCEVs convert stored hydrogen into electricity, and in operation this fuel cell generates only water as emissions.

This Hilux FCEV prototype uses components from the Toyota Mirai hydrogen FCEV sedan, storing hydrogen in three high-pressure tanks. The system combines a 330-cell solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack, three high-pressure hydrogen tanks, a large lithium-ion battery, electric motor and rear transaxle.

Also read: Sarawak drives lead of hydrogen cars; receives 5 units of Toyota Mirai FCEV from UMWT

Expected range is over 600 kilometres on a single fill-up. The project can be traced back to early 2022, and this prototype is the first out of ten that are slated to be built. 

Cleaner Hiluxes to come

This Hilux FCEV is the first of its kind by any major manufacturer in the segment, representing Toyota's latest but obvious move in this market. In many countries – Malaysia, Australia, Thailand to name a few –the Hilux is the best-selling truck, and pivoting to a zero-emission variant of it is pivotal to carbon reduction efforts in this region.

Especially so as it doesn't require customers to change their habits too much; converting petrol stations to hydrogen fuel stops takes about 2 days, and as the Mirai shows in the real world, refuelling takes about five minutes tops. For people working in places where charging isn't practical, this makes for a more plausible way to embrace green motoring.

That's not to say EVs are left to the wayside – a (drivable) Hilux BEV prototype exists. In the more tangible interim, Australia will see their regular Hilux range tacked on with rally-proven 48-Volt mild-hybrid technology beginning 2024.

Also read: Rally-proven upgrades confirmed 2024 Toyota Hilux - to feature 48V MHEV next year