Toyota and IVECO to develop new fuel cell for hydrogen truck
Toyota and IVECO are joining forces to accelerate the development of next-generation hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) for heavy-duty transport through the EU-funded EMPOWER project.
The Horizon Europe initiative brings together Toyota’s fuel cell expertise with IVECO’s experience in heavy-duty vehicle engineering and hydrogen vehicle deployment. Toyota will supply the fuel cell system, while IVECO will lead vehicle development, integration and validation.
The partnership represents a significant step in the development of commercially viable hydrogen trucks, with the new IVECO S-eWay Fuel Cell targeting a driving range of more than 900km and fuel cell durability of more than 25,000 operating hours.
IVECO S-eWay Fuel Cell delivers 300kW
The new-generation IVECO S-eWay Fuel Cell will be powered by Toyota fuel cell systems delivering a combined 300kW. Compared with IVECO’s first-generation fuel cell trucks deployed through the H2Haul project, the new vehicle has been developed to deliver improvements in performance, efficiency, durability and scalability.
IVECO says the improvements include a reduction in vehicle weight and a simplified overall architecture. More efficient energy management means the new truck requires only half the battery capacity of the previous generation.
The result is intended to bring hydrogen fuel cell technology closer to the operational and economic requirements of large-scale commercial transport, particularly long-distance and high-mileage applications where range and vehicle uptime are critical.
Toyota has more than 30 years of experience developing and commercialising fuel cell technology across mobility and industrial applications. Its latest systems are increasingly being developed around the specific demands of commercial vehicles, with an emphasis on reliability, efficiency and extended operating life.
Learning from H2Haul
The EMPOWER project builds on the experience gained from IVECO’s earlier H2Haul programme, which saw first-generation fuel cell trucks deployed in real-world operations.
That operational experience has helped inform the development of the latest generation, with the EMPOWER vehicle intended to demonstrate that hydrogen can deliver the combination of range, uptime and zero tailpipe emissions required by heavy-duty fleets.
EMPOWER is taking a multi-technology approach to zero-emission transport. IVECO has already begun trials of a battery-electric prototype within the project, while the hydrogen fuel cell truck will move into real-world testing during 2027.
Validation and testing of the Toyota-powered FCEV are scheduled to begin during the fourth quarter of 2026, with on-road trials expected to start during the first half of 2027. The resulting operational data will help determine how the technology can be developed for wider commercial deployment and future industrial-scale production.
Hydrogen’s role in zero-emission HGVs
For fleet operators, hydrogen fuel cells remain one potential solution for decarbonising applications where battery-electric trucks can face challenges around range, payload, charging times and infrastructure.
The proposed 900km-plus range of the S-eWay Fuel Cell places it firmly in the long-haul sector, although the commercial viability of hydrogen will ultimately depend on factors including fuel availability, refuelling infrastructure and the total cost of ownership.
Marco Liccardo, Chief Technology & Digital Officer, Iveco Group, said: “Hydrogen is a key enabler of the future energy and mobility ecosystem. By joining forces with Toyota through EMPOWER, we are investing in a long-term vision for heavy-duty transport, one that combines sustainability, energy resilience and operational performance. Through EMPOWER, we are bringing together leading fuel cell expertise and advanced vehicle engineering to help unlock the full potential of hydrogen and drive the evolution of zero-emission heavy-duty transport. Together, we aim to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission solutions and contribute to redefining how goods move in the decades ahead.”
Shinichi Yasui, Executive Vice President, R&D, Toyota Motor Europe, added: “The transition to zero-emission freight requires technologies that can meet the realities of commercial transport. For high-mileage, heavy-duty operations, hydrogen fuel cell technology offers strong potential by combining range, uptime and efficiency. By working together with IVECO, we aim to demonstrate how Toyota’s third-generation fuel cell system can help customers move towards zero-tailpipe emission logistics without compromising operational needs.”
The EMPOWER trials will therefore provide an important test of whether the latest generation of hydrogen fuel cell technology can bridge the gap between demonstration vehicles and commercially scalable zero-emission HGVs.
