Toyota has revealed that its highly sought-after pickup truck, the Hilux, is set to introduce a hydrogen fuel cell variant in 2028. This new model will mark a significant milestone as the first mass-produced mid-size hydrogen fuel cell pickup truck to hit the European market, sold concurrently with pure electric and mild hybrid versions.

The hydrogen fuel cell variant of the Hilux will employ a powertrain akin to that of the Mirai sedan. This setup allows for a swift refueling time of just around 5 minutes with hydrogen and offers an impressive full-tank range of approximately 400 kilometers. Moreover, it boasts a maximum towing capacity of about 2,500 kilograms, outperforming its pure electric counterpart in terms of performance.

However, the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles faces challenges, primarily due to the limited availability of hydrogen refueling stations. Presently, Europe and the UK have only 179 operational stations, a stark contrast to the 1.16 million public charging points scattered across the EU, making hydrogen refueling far less convenient. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles generally come with a higher price tag.

The journey towards this innovation began as early as 2022, with the debut of the Hilux H2 prototype. In 2024, Toyota took a significant step forward by launching a test fleet comprising 10 test vehicles. These vehicles feature rear-wheel drive and boast a range of approximately 600 kilometers. As of now, Toyota has not yet clarified whether the mass-produced version will include a dual-motor four-wheel-drive variant.