Toyota tests hydrogen-powered long-haul trucks with Coca-Cola and Air Liquide

Global automaker Toyota (TYO:7203) has launched a pilot program for new, zero-emission, hydrogen-powered long-haul trucks in partnership with beverage giant Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) and industrial fuels and technology specialist Air Liquide (EPA:AI).

The pilot truck’s fuel cell system uses modules that combine hydrogen and oxygen molecules to produce water while also generating electricity to power the vehicle. As a result, water is the only tailpipe emission.

Toyota says the system offers the added benefit of “fast refueling” and will help “support the decarbonization of heavy road transport.”

As part of a pilot project, Coca-Cola will deliver a concept vehicle to its beverage suppliers that is intended to “demonstrate the performance of fuel cell technology and its suitability for heavy-duty transportation” ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, the opening ceremony of which takes place on Friday.

Air Liquide will supply green hydrogen (or hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources) to power vehicles. The project partners are also trying to emphasize the importance of developing vehicles and infrastructure in parallel to help promote a more sustainable society.

In Europe, heavy transport accounts for a quarter of freight transport on the continent, based on tonnes per kilometre. The usage patterns of commercial trucks and their demand for large quantities of hydrogen make them key drivers for the development of a sustainable hydrogen infrastructure.

Huge potential

Heavy-duty trucks equipped with hydrogen fuel cell technology have the potential to reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-haul logistics operations and drive the development of sustainable hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

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Thiebault Pacquet, Vice President of Research and Development at Toyota Motor Europe, said the collaboration reflects the carmaker’s aim to support and contribute as much as possible to the creation of carbon neutral societies in Europe and beyond.

“To accelerate the adoption of hydrogen technology in our society, we are expanding the application of our Toyota fuel cell module beyond passenger cars to trucks, buses, coaches, trains, boats, short- and medium-range vessels, stationary generators, and more.

“It is a pleasure to work with like-minded partners and demonstrate our shared vision for sustainable mobility. The insights gained from these proofs of concept will be key milestones on our path to achieving zero tailpipe carbon emissions in our logistics operations by 2040.”

Erwin Penfornis, Vice President of Air Liquide’s World Business Line for Hydrogen Energy, said: “Air Liquide shares the same ambition as Coca-Cola and Toyota: implementing concrete solutions to meet the challenge of the energy transition. This joint project is part of that approach and will demonstrate the importance of hydrogen for heavy-duty mobility.

“With the growing demand for low-carbon products in transportation, hydrogen is particularly suitable for long-distance transport, providing flexibility and efficiency.”

Eric Desbonnets, Vice President of Paris 2024 Operations at Coca-Cola, said: “We are pleased to partner with Toyota and Air Liquide to test hydrogen solutions for our long-haul logistics operations. We want to learn from this experience as we continue to work to reduce our carbon footprint.”

Toyota and Coca-Cola are World Partners of the Olympic Games, and Air Liquide is an official sponsor.