Toyota Confirms 2028 Launch of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hilux FCEV Pickup with ~400 km Range

On September 17, Toyota confirmed earlier this week that its Hilux pickup truck will launch a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) variant, the Hilux FCEV, in 2028. The model will be mass-produced and sold in the European market alongside battery-electric and mild-hybrid versions of the Hilux. The production Hilux FCEV will use a powertrain similar to that of the Mirai sedan, with a refueling time of approximately five minutes. In comparison, the battery-electric Hilux requires 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. Toyota estimates the Hilux FCEV will offer a full-tank driving range of 248 miles (approximately 400 kilometers), compared to 159 miles (about 257 kilometers) for the battery-electric version. The Hilux FCEV will have a maximum towing capacity of 5,512 pounds (around 2,500 kilograms), while the battery-electric variant will be rated for up to 4,410 pounds (approximately 2,000 kilograms). According to data from the European Hydrogen Observatory, there are currently 179 operational hydrogen refueling stations across Europe and the UK, and 1.16 million public charging points in the EU. The first Hilux H2 prototype was unveiled in 2022. In 2024, Toyota launched a test fleet consisting of 10 vehicles. The latest batch of test vehicles features a rear-wheel-drive layout, with three hydrogen storage tanks integrated into the ladder frame and a lithium-ion battery mounted beneath the cargo bed. This powertrain configuration enables an estimated driving range of 373 miles (approximately 600 kilometers). The drivetrain configuration for the production Hilux FCEV, scheduled for launch in 2028, has not yet been disclosed.