Iveco and Toyota join forces on hydrogen heavy trucks

Iveco and Toyota have joined forces to advance next-generation hydrogen fuel cell technology for heavy-duty vehicles, through the EU-funded Empower project.

Under the partnership, Toyota will provide the fuel cell system for Iveco’s new-generation fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), which are said to represent a major technological leap, delivering significant improvements across key performance indicators compared with Iveco’s first-generation fuel cell trucks deployed as part of the H2Haul project, building on the operational insights gained through the programme.

Powered by Toyota fuel cell systems with a total output of 300 kW, the Iveco S-eWay Fuel Cell combines increased performance with improved efficiency, says Iveco, extending driving range beyond 900 km while significantly enhancing durability to more than 25,000 operating hours. In parallel, vehicle weight has been reduced, and the overall architecture has been simplified through a more efficient energy management strategy, requiring only half the battery capacity of the previous generation.

Together, these improvements bring fuel cell technology closer to the operational, economic and durability requirements of large-scale commercial transport, the manufacturer claims. These advancements are aligned with the latest progress in Toyota fuel cell technology, which is increasingly focused on meeting the demanding requirements of commercial vehicle applications through higher reliability, improved efficiency and extended operational life.

Validation and testing activities are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. The project aims to demonstrate the technology under demanding real-world operating conditions, with on-road trials planned to start in the first half of 2027. The insights gained from these activities will contribute to the development of commercially viable hydrogen-powered solutions for long-haul and heavy-duty transport applications, say the companies, serving as a pilot platform for a future industrial scale-up.

“Hydrogen is a key enabler of the future energy and mobility ecosystem,” said Marco Liccardo, chief technology and digital officer, Iveco Group.

“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.”

“The transition to zero-emission freight requires technologies that can meet the realities of commercial transport,” added Shinichi Yasui, executive vice president, R&D, Toyota Motor Europe.

“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.”

Iveco is also contributing to the Empower project through the deployment of a battery-electric truck demonstrator.