Toyota to retrofit trucks with VDL

The Japanese manufacturer is going to supply its fuel cell to the VDL group, of which a subsidiary specialises in the electrification of road vehicles in small series. The aim is to retrofit trucks that will be used for its own logistics needs (transport of vehicles, components and spare parts). Retrofitting will start in autumn.

The Dutch group VDL is known for its buses and coaches. It even has an assembly activity for car manufacturers with the Nedcar entity, which works with BMW and Mini. The cooperation with Toyota concerns the Special Vehicles division. Its role will be to retrofit existing trucks to hydrogen, using the fuel cell developed by Toyota. The first example will be ready this very summer.

Toyota will use these H2 trucks to decarbonise its own logistics activities in Europe. This is a lever for achieving the carbon neutrality it is aiming for by 2040. It is both a way for the Toyota to get feedback on hydrogen trucks (if it wants to go further in this activity) but also to develop a refuelling infrastructure. Toyota believes that truck refuelling stations can be used as a starting point to eventually fuel cars.

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Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King