With the rapidly expanding interest in heavy-duty electric trucks, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Hino USA have agreed to jointly develop a class 8 fuel cell electric truck (FCET) for the North American market.

The companies will leverage the newly developed Hino XL Series chassis with Toyota‘s proven fuel cell technology to deliver exceptional capability without harmful emissions. This collaboration expands upon the existing effort to develop a 25-ton FCET for the Japanese market that was announced earlier this year. The first demonstration vehicle is expected to arrive in the first half of 2021.

“A fuel cell powered version of the Hino XL Series is a win-win for both customers and the community. It will be quiet, smooth and powerful while emitting nothing but water,” said Tak Yokoo, senior executive engineer, Toyota Research and Development. “Toyota‘s twenty-plus years of fuel cell technology combined with Hino‘s heavy-duty truck experience will create an innovative and capable product.”

Hino‘s senior vice president customer experience Glenn Ellis said expanding upon the company‘s proud heritage of the Hino powertrain, Toyota Fuel Cell Technology offers customers a commercially viable, extended range, zero emissions vehicle in the near term.

“Hino shares a common focus with Toyota when it comes to durability, reliability, and innovation with the customer at the centre of design, which makes this collaboration a game changer.”