Toyota and Scania partner on hydrogen truck

Toyota and Scania have formed a partnership to trial hydrogen fuel cell technology in heavy-duty transport. The collaboration will see Toyota supply its third-generation fuel cell systems for 40 trucks in Scania's Pilot Partner programme, with operations scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027.

The trial will take place across real-world logistics operations. According to a statement, the programme links Scania with selected customers to test sustainable transport technologies, including hydrogen fuel cells, in actual operating conditions.

Trial objectives and technology

The trial is intended to assess technical performance, operational efficiency and total cost of ownership. The vehicles will use Toyota's third-generation fuel cell system, which delivers 300kW of power in a compact footprint designed for heavy-duty applications.

Scania's Chief Technology Officer, Sara Forsberg, commented on the partnership. "This collaboration will give us valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with hydrogen fuel cell technology in heavy-duty transport," she said.

Broader hydrogen fuel cell activities

Toyota is expanding its involvement in fuel cell activities beyond this partnership. In July, Toyota Motor, Daimler Truck and Volvo Group signed a binding agreement under which Toyota will take an equal one-third stake in the fuel cell joint venture Cellcentric. After the transaction, each company will hold a one-third share in the business.

The automaker is also involved in a separate, six-month pilot underway in Spain. That trial, with BMW Group, Bosch and Repsol, aims to establish whether conventional petrol vehicles can run solely on 100% renewable petrol. About twenty vehicles are involved, including Toyota and Lexus cars provided by Toyota España as well as BMW fleet vehicles.

Strategic outlook

Toyota Motor executive vice president Hiroki Nakajima framed the Scania trial as a strategic step. "By bringing Toyota's third-generation fuel cell system into Scania customers' logistics operations, together we are taking an important step towards enabling hydrogen-powered mobility to play a larger role across Europe's heavy-duty transport industry," Nakajima said.

The first hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks from Scania in this programme are slated to start operating in early 2027.