This experimental pick-up is capable of traveling 600 km in electric mode only by emitting water vapor through the exhaust. It could go to series from 2026.
Toyota was a pioneer in putting a hydrogen-powered vehicle on the world market: the Mirai sedan, which is now in its second generation. Based on “Fuel Cell” or “Fuel Cell” technology Powered by hydrogen, it is capable of creating its own electricity which then drives an electric motor. There is no need for heavy batteries or long recharging times. The tank is filled in just three minutes with H2 in a gaseous state in any “hydrogen station”.
It is true that these They barely exist and that – having hydrogen as well as gasoline – will still require a large expansion of the supply network. But this will grow depending on demand. And it is already beginning to be implemented in industrial and heavy machinery centers (factories, quarries, ports and airports…) where service vehicles can be recharged at the base itself, since they do not travel too far.
Third evolution
A little with this idea, Toyota UK has launched the hydrogen version of the popular Hilux pick-up. The brand has decades of experience in this technology and is on its way to its third generation (with 20% more autonomy)which is expected to go on sale in 2026. This “Battery” is made up of 330 cells that convert chemical energy into electrical energy from hydrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere, producing 650 volts of current.
Electricity is temporarily stored in a small battery. of only 4 Ah lithium ion and is sent – in the necessary quantity – to the 134 kW (182 HP) permanent magnet synchronous electric motor located on the rear axle.
600 km of autonomy
Hydrogen occupies most of the lower part of the chassis, compressed in three large tanks made of carbon fiber and fiberglass reinforced plastic, which admit 2.6 Kg of gas each. The extraordinary thing is that they supply energy to cover up to 600 km.
They have been built in record time 10 prototypes of the Hilux FCEV, five for homologation and experimentation and another five for practical demonstrations. These will also enter service as official vehicles for this summer’s Paris Olympic Games. And we had the opportunity to psteal it comparatively with the diesel version of the same model in its natural field of work: in a quarry.
Versus diesel
The new Hilux FCEV (still in prototype status) has simple instrumentation: it only needs a start button and an electric vehicle “shift” lever, with its three positions. The only new feature on the dashboard was an emergency button to electrically isolate the car in case of a short circuit. Otherwise, the FCEV does not differ in frame from the combustion model… but they are very different!
Compared to the thermal Hilux, the other is enormously smooth and progressive operation, without jumps or abruptness. And it has so much torque (300 Nm) that it skids if you accelerate hard. Compared to that one, it has a lower center of gravity, but more distributed than in a battery one. However, this industrial vehicle weighs 2.2 tons. But, on the other hand, it is agile and – above all – has much lighter steering (deprived of the heavy front diesel engine).
