Are you ready for the hydrogen nation?

Hydrogen. For many it’s the obvious alternative to battery electric technology for a lot of vehicles, especially those that serve commercial needs. And while it hasn’t had the impetus behind it as found in the pure EV segment, momentum is increasing. And it’s happening in the UK.

Toyota is leading a consortium of firms to develop a hydrogen-powered version of its eponymous Hilux pick-up truck. A vehicle that serves so many companies (and quite a few private owners too) and could be the catalyst for hydrogen’s wider adoption.

The consortium, led by Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK will receive UK government funding to cover the development of a hydrogen fuel cell electric Hilux, working in collaboration with highly skilled UK-based technical engineering partners Ricardo, ETL, D2H and Thatcham Research.

The project will make use of components from Toyota’s second-generation fuel cell system, as featured in the latest Toyota Mirai saloon, to transform a Hilux into an electric vehicle. While Toyota UK is leading the project, Toyota Motor Europe R&D will provide technical support to help the UK-based teams to build their expertise and become self-sufficient in developing next-generation hydrogen drivetrain technologies.

Richard Kenworthy, Toyota UK Managing Director, says: “The opportunity that this funding enables is significant and goes towards developing the technical capabilities not only of our employees here at our site in Burnaston in the East Midlands but also of those within the wider consortium partners. This region is heavily committed to supporting zero emissions mobility and we see this project as a great opportunity to contribute to the critical path on the road to carbon zero mobility. This funding will enable teams within the consortium to acquire key skills that can then be used to investigate other fuel cell applications.”

Initially, prototype Hilux vehicles will be produced at Burnaston during 2023. Once successful performance results have been secured, the intention is to prepare the vehicle for small series production. The project is an exciting opportunity to investigate a further application of Toyota’s fuel cell technology in a vehicle segment that is key to a number of industry groups and will help support the sector’s move towards decarbonisation.

Along with the other partners, Thatcham Research has a key role within the consortium, bringing comprehensive research into future vehicle technology and proven expertise in creating repair training programmes. Insights gathered through the course of the project will form the foundations of future hydrogen vehicle handling and repair training for technical and non-technical automotive sector staff.

Miller Crockart, Chief Revenue Officer at Thatcham Research says: “While pure battery electric vehicles are the poster child for decarbonisation in the automotive sector, continued research and the development of alternative fuel types, such as hydrogen, also hold the potential to play a key part in achieving UK carbon neutrality goals.”

The IMI recently visited the Toyota Training Academy in Derby to see how hydrogen technology is developing and the skills required to keep these vehicles on the road. The knowledge garnered from that event will feed back into IMI teams in developing hydrogen qualifications and solutions.

A process that’s already started; the Level 1 Qualification in Hydrogen Vehicle Awareness is now live and available to support the sector. With further qualifications at Levels 2 and 3 to follow soon.

The growth in hydrogen vehicles could accelerate quickly, as already seen with EVs, as companies such as Toyota invest more in the technology. That means everyone in the industry needs to stay on top of their skills to make sure they’re ready for when they’re in showrooms and coming into workshops.

Time to find out how the IMI can help you upskill and be ready for the future of automotive? Search its range of courses, qualifications and accreditations to find the knowledge you need.