Hydrogen-powered Toyota HiLux FCEV revealed

A Toyota HiLux prototype powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell has been revealed in the UK just a week after the battery-electric HiLux Revo BEV Concept ute was showcased in Melbourne, showing the world’s biggest car-maker is indeed serious about bringing EV and FCEV power to its light commercial vehicles.

Featuring an adapted Toyota Mirai powertrain, the hydrogen-powered pick-up features three high-pressure fuel tanks that give it a theoretical driving range of more than 587km, while the primary battery is stashed in the tray to avoid compromising cabin space.

Obviously this impedes the HiLux’s load-carrying capabilities, but this of course is only a prototype and packaging revisions will likely be made before the FCEV ute eventually enters production, with another nine prototypes to be built between now and the end of 2023.

“These will undergo rigorous testing around the world to ensure safety, dynamic performance, functionality and durability meet the high standards required of a production model,” Toyota UK said.

It remains to be seen if Australia ends up being one of the key testing destinations for the water-emitting HiLux, but the chances are strong given the current-generation HiLux was largely developed here and is this market’s best-selling vehicle, not least because of its popularity with fleets.

The fact Australia has some of the world’s biggest and richest mine sites also bodes well for a local testing program and possibly even an early exposure to would-be fleet buyers – just like the Revo EV concept is doing now.

No other details of the zero-emissions powertrain – outputs, fuel capacity, drive configuration, etc – beyond the vague claimed range have been provided as yet, however, the second-generation Mirai-sourced componentry has outputted 134kW/300Nm in sedan form.

That 587km-plus driving range is significantly longer than any comparable battery-electric offering, even from within Toyota’s own catalogue, and the refuelling time will be less than 10 per cent of an EV’s, which should make the HiLux FCEV a promising prospect for fleet byers as the oil and gas industry continues to embrace zero-emissions technology.

Like the Revo concept, there’s no guarantee the product will make it to production, but confirmation of a 10-strong prototype fleet is a promising sign and shows Toyota is serious about this particular from of electrification for the HiLux.

However, even if it does make production, we expect the HiLux FCEV to be solely reserved for fleets and lease clients in Australia, similar to the Mirai and Hyundai NEXO, at least until widespread hydrogen refuelling infrastructure exists Down Under.

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