Hydrogen fuel cell trucks, Toyota and Hyroad to cooperate in California

At the recent ACT Expo, Toyota announced an agreement with Hyroad Energy, a pioneer in hydrogen-powered transportation solutions, to deploy 40 hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 commercial trucks in Southern California.

Under the agreement, Hyroad will provide trucks, maintenance, data and software services to support Toyota’s logistics operations. Toyota will supply hydrogen fuel through its own refueling infrastructure, currently under development in Ontario, California. The two companies are bringing together the interconnected pieces that a functioning hydrogen trucking ecosystem requires — vehicles, software and fuel supply — under a single commercial framework.

For Toyota, this is one piece of a much larger hydrogen commitment that spans more than 30 years of experience in fuel cell development. The company is investing significantly in the hydrogen value chain, including fuel cell development and refueling infrastructure, and sees commercial trucking as a critical proving ground for that ecosystem at scale.

Hydrogen, the agreement between Toyota and Hyroad Energy

Hyroad’s full-service model covers the truck, maintenance and fleet management software under a bundled commercial structure, removing the operational complexity that has historically slowed adoption of alternative-fuel commercial vehicles. Indeed, last year, Hyroad acquired 117 hydrogen fuel cell trucks, spare parts, software platforms and IP assets from Nikola Corporation’s bankruptcy auction. Thereafter, Hyroad announced an expansion of its service offerings to include comprehensive maintenance and support services for existing Nikola truck owners, software solutions for fleet management, repair services and parts supply.

“Toyota has done exactly what great allies do — they’ve brought genuine hydrogen expertise to the table and made thoughtful, strategic decisions,” said Dmitry Serov, founder and CEO of Hyroad Energy. “They’re not waiting for someone else to build this ecosystem. They’re investing in it directly, and that’s what makes this meaningful. When fueling, vehicles, software and operational commitment all come together, hydrogen trucking works.”

“Accelerating the hydrogen economy requires collaboration, and Toyota is proud to work with Hyroad to move the heavy-duty sector forward,” added Jason Zahorik, general manager, Toyota Hydrogen Solutions. “By bringing the critical elements together, we’re demonstrating how fuel cells create tangible value across supply chains while advancing a foundational pillar of the hydrogen economy. With hydrogen, we share a vision for cleaner, more powerful and more energy independent mobility.”