IVECO and Toyota join forces on next-generation hydrogen trucks
IVECO and Toyota Motor Europe are joining forces to develop two next-generation hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty truck prototypes. The 44-tonne vehicles will combine IVECO's heavy-duty truck platform with Toyota's third-generation fuel cell technology and will be tested in real-world operations as part of the EU-funded EMPOWER project.
IVECO and Toyota Motor Europe have announced a new collaboration to develop next-generation hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks, as part of the EU-funded EMPOWER project.
The two companies will develop two 44-tonne fuel cell electric truck prototypes, combining IVECO’s heavy-duty vehicle platform and integration expertise with Toyota’s latest third-generation fuel cell technology.
The vehicles are expected to enter real-world testing in 2027, when the EMPOWER project moves into the fuel cell phase. During 2026, the programme is already testing a battery-electric IVECO prototype in logistics operations with Gruber Logistics in Italy.
Toyota fuel cell technology for IVECO heavy-duty trucks
The collaboration will focus on integrating Toyota’s new fuel cell system into the IVECO platform, with the objective of evaluating the technology in demanding heavy-duty transport applications.
Toyota’s third-generation fuel cell system has been developed specifically with commercial applications in mind, targeting greater durability, efficiency and lower costs compared with the previous generation.
The partnership also strengthens Toyota’s growing role as a fuel cell technology supplier to European truck manufacturers, rather than solely as a vehicle manufacturer.
Just days ago, Toyota announced a separate collaboration with Scania, under which its third-generation fuel cell systems will be integrated into 40 heavy-duty vehicles within the Swedish manufacturer’s Pilot Partner programme. Those systems deliver 300 kW, with the first trucks expected to begin operating in the first quarter of 2027.
IVECO continues hydrogen truck development
For IVECO, EMPOWER adds to previous work on hydrogen-powered heavy trucks. The manufacturer has already developed and deployed fuel cell trucks within the European H2Haul programme, including two S-eWay Fuel Cell vehicles delivered to BMW for logistics operations in Germany.
EMPOWER is designed to validate different zero-emission technologies in real-world long-haul operations. Its battery-electric testing phase is currently under way, with the hydrogen prototypes set to extend the programme to fuel cell technology next year.
The new agreement comes amid a broader push to develop a European hydrogen ecosystem for heavy-duty transport. Toyota is also involved alongside Daimler Truck, Volvo Group, Bosch, Air Liquide, TotalEnergies and other companies in a recently announced initiative aimed at coordinating hydrogen trucks, refuelling infrastructure and hydrogen supply in Europe.
