Toyota and VDL Group Expand Hydrogen Truck Fleet in Europe
Key Ideas
  • Toyota and VDL Group have deployed four more BZ trucks in Europe, traveling between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2040.
  • These hydrogen trucks can travel up to 400 kilometers on a single tank, contributing to the growth of the hydrogen economy and boosting demand for hydrogen.
  • The collaboration aims to deepen knowledge about fuel cell trucks on public roads, with the field trial scheduled to run for five years.
  • Toyota has also unveiled the third generation of its fuel cell system, with improved durability and efficiency, planned for market launch in 2026 for various applications worldwide.
Toyota Motor Europe and the VDL Group have introduced four additional BZ trucks equipped with Japanese technology that are now operational on routes between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. These 40-tonne hydrogen trucks are being used in a logistics network around the Toyota Parts Centre Europe by Toyota in partnership with logistics companies like Vos Transport Group, CEVA, Groupe CAT, and Yusen. The trucks are supported by hydrogen refueling stations along each route to ensure uninterrupted operations. The initiative aligns with Toyota's goal of achieving carbon neutrality in its logistics operations by 2040 and aims to drive the growth of the hydrogen economy. The collaboration intends to gather insights from the deployment of these eco-friendly trucks to enhance both the vehicles and operational processes over time. Furthermore, Toyota and VDL's partnership includes a field trial spanning five years to deepen the understanding of fuel cell trucks' real-world performance. Toyota has also announced the third generation of its fuel cell system, set for a 2026 market launch for various applications globally, with improved durability and efficiency compared to the previous generation. The multinational reach of Toyota's fuel cell technology spans different sectors, including collaborations in passenger cars with BMW, bus manufacturers like Caetano Bus and Karsan, and truck manufacturers such as VDL, Paccar, and Hyliko. This push for hydrogen technology adoption signifies a positive step towards sustainable transportation and energy efficiency in the European logistics landscape and beyond.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.