Project set to prepare hydrogen fuel cell Hilux pick-up for UK market

To prepare the Hilux for the UK market, Thatcham Research insurance risk intelligence and engineering expertise will assess the repair and safety implications of any adaptations made to the standard Hilux throughout the design process. This includes making recommendations for vehicle development to ensure strong passive and active safety performance, while providing early awareness of potential repair challenges.

According to Thatcham, insights gathered through the course of the project will form the foundations of future hydrogen vehicle handling and repair training for technical and non-technical automotive staff.

In a statement, Miller Crockart, chief revenue officer, Thatcham Research, said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Toyota and Ricardo on this project. Whilst pure battery electric vehicles are the poster child for decarbonisation in the automotive sector, continued research and the development of alternative fuel types, such as hydrogen, also hold the potential to play a key part in achieving UK carbon neutrality goals.

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“This project is a good example of how government and the automotive sector can bring innovation and new growth opportunities to the UK motor industry.”

Electric vehicle sales have grown rapidly, but now over 30 countries have released hydrogen roadmaps and the industry has announced over 200 hydrogen projects and investment plans.

“This is a hugely significant project for Toyota and the consortium,” said Richard Kenworthy, managing director, Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd. “We are confident that this is a winning combination of companies that can collectively contribute to the hydrogen landscape, supporting new job skills and competencies going forward.”

The consortium aims to adopt Toyota Mirai fuel cell components, transforming a Toyota Hilux pick-up into a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The multi-year project will result in the production of initial vehicle prototypes throughout 2023 at TMUK’s Burnaston site in Derbyshire. The effort is being funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre.