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Toyota Motor Europe (TME) and VDL Groep launch first demonstration fuel cell truck

Following the collaboration between Toyota Motor Europe (TME) and VDL Groep announced last May, now the two companies have launched their first demonstration fuel cell truck. By integrating its fuel cell technology into VDL's large-tonnage trucks, Toyota aims to decarbonize its logistics operations in Europe.

The first demonstration truck will be used to carry out road tests and evaluate various improvements for the next steps of the project. VDL Groep is preparing another four fuel cell trucks, which will be used by Toyota logistics suppliers such as VOS Transport Group, CEVA, Groupe CAT and Yusen. These transport companies will contribute substantially to the project by using hydrogen trucks on their daily logistics routes that pass through Belgium (Antwerp), France (Lille), Germany (Cologne) and the Netherlands (Amsterdam and Rotterdam). Each of the four routes has at least one hydrogen fueling station, as well as alternative solutions.

The collaboration between all parties is expected to consolidate knowledge regarding the deployment of fuel cell trucks on public roads and contribute to the green energy transition in Europe. The five-year pilot project will undoubtedly stimulate the future development of a sustainable hydrogen infrastructure across Europe, adapted to the requirements of the European Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), and will make it possible for more energy-neutral mobility solutions to emerge. hydrogen-based carbon.

This project complements Toyota's initiatives to decarbonize its logistics operations and is in line with its long-term goal of achieving total carbon neutrality by 2040. In addition to the electrification of its passenger cars, the company finds it very useful to collaborate with multiple partners to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and affordable zero-emissions hydrogen economy. Therefore, it establishes alliances with companies from all mobility sectors and with different skills to test and offer reliable and efficient solutions.