Two of the world’s biggest names in mobility are joining forces to tackle one of the hardest parts of the energy transition: long-haul trucking. Toyota Motor Corporation and Swedish truck manufacturer Scania announced a partnership to test green hydrogen-powered fuel cells in heavy-duty commercial fleets operating across Europe.
Under the agreement, Toyota will supply its latest third-generation fuel cell technology to power 40 Scania heavy-duty trucks. The vehicles will be placed with select commercial transport operators starting in early 2027 as part of Scania’s hands-on customer testing program.
While battery-electric passenger cars have rapidly gained market share, decarbonizing long-haul transport remains a challenge due to battery weight, charging times, and range constraints. Hydrogen fuel cells — which produce electricity by combining stored hydrogen with oxygen, leaving behind only water vapor — offer a potential solution for heavy loads that need to stay on the road without long charging stops.
Toyota’s newest fuel cell modules generate 300 kW of power in a compact package designed specifically for demanding commercial tasks. By running these units in daily operations, the companies aim to evaluate key performance factors, including real-world efficiency and overall operating costs, before scaling the technology further.
“Heavy-duty transport is key to building hydrogen demand and infrastructure,” said Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President at Toyota. “It’s the right solution for demanding applications where long range, high utilization, and operational efficiency are essential.”
For Scania, putting the trucks directly into customer fleets is about gathering raw operational data. “This collaboration will give us valuable insights into the real opportunities and practical challenges of hydrogen fuel cell technology in daily transport,” noted Sara Forsberg, Scania’s Chief Technology Officer.
The announcement comes ahead of the IAA Transportation conference in mid-September, where Toyota is expected to share further details about its commercial hydrogen strategy.