With a move to decarbonize heavy transport, Toyota Motor Europe has introduced hydrogen fuel cell trucks on high-traffic routes within its European logistics network. The goal is to maintain normal operational efficiency while reducing emissions in segments where range and refueling time are crucial.
From May of 2025, four units link the Toyota European Components Centre (TPCE) in Belgium with strategic nodes such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Lille and Cologne; they have already surpassed 80.000 km traveled and have avoided more than 80.000 kg of COâ‚‚, in line with the corporate goal of carbon neutrality in 2040.
What trucks and routes are operating
The four heavy-duty tractor heads operate daily on international corridors connecting the Diest CTBT with key destinations in Benelux, France, and Germany. The deployment has been designed to be integrated into real-life shifts, prioritizing long-distance operations to take advantage of hydrogen refueling and the longer time available on the road.
In the first few months, one of the vehicles has accumulated more than 32.000 km without relevant incidents, with ranges greater than 400 km per cycle, data that supports the operational viability of this technology on demanding logistics routes.
Third-generation fuel cell technology
Toyota is validating its real-world conditions third-generation fuel cell system, specifically designed for heavy-duty applications. This development promises improvements in energy efficiency, durability and in the relationship power-to-weight ratio, key aspects for performance and total cost of ownership in heavy transport.
Three axes for scaling hydrogen
The company's strategy is articulated in three complementary lines of action that seek to accelerate a balanced adoption of the hydrogen in mobility and other industrial uses.
- Development of own vehicles fuel cell projects aimed at heavy transport and future high-capacity projects.
- Collaboration with partners supplying fuel cell modules for applications in transportation, energy, and maritime-rail sectors.
- Local hydrogen ecosystems to match supply and demand, ensure economic viability and boost refueling infrastructure.
The role of the CTBT in the European logistics network
El CTBT is the core of Toyota parts distribution in Europe: it serves more than 40 markets, manages around 500.000 references daily and coordinates around 200 truck movements per day to supply a network larger than 3.000 dealers.
With a template of 2.000 employees and a network of 13 warehouses, this center prioritizes punctuality and the reduction of environmental impact throughout the entire supply chain, aligning with the roadmap of climate neutrality marked by the company.
Partners, testing and deployment
In 2022, Toyota sealed a collaboration with VDL Special Vehicles to accelerate the viability of hydrogen in heavy-duty transport. The program began with a feasibility study and the construction of several prototypes, which allowed the product to be fine-tuned before its daily use.
Throughout 2023, operational tests in real environments, including logistics services related to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic GamesAfter this evaluation period, the trucks were permanently integrated into TME's logistics network in May of 2025.
Regulation and infrastructure
The scalability of hydrogen in Europe depends on an effective implementation of the framework AFIR and to prioritize logistics brokers where consumption is assured. Toyota executives in Europe have emphasized the need to align demand and supply and consolidate reliable refueling points to sustain growth.
In addition to regulation, the creation of local ecosystems It is essential to facilitate access to fuel, stabilize costs and promote interoperability of solutions fuel cell between different operators.
Next steps and scaling
The company plans a gradual expansion of its fleet in the corridors with the greatest traction, relying on programs that reduce the cost gap, such as SWIM (Subsidie ​​Waterstof in Mobiliteit) in the Netherlands. The roadmap focuses on long autonomies, times of agile refueling and a competitive ecosystem that allows for expanded use in heavy logistics.
The progress of this project confirms that the use of hydrogen trucks On long-haul routes, it is technically feasible and operationally compatible with the demands of the sector; initial results, regulatory support and collaboration with industrial partners set the pace for a deployment that aims to be zero emissions in the medium term.
