Toyota secures £11.3m funding to develop hydrogen-powered Hilux pick-up


A consortium of automotive sector suppliers led by Toyota has secured an £11.3 million funding increase for a venture that can develop a hydrogen-powered model of its Hilux pick-up truck.

The Division for Enterprise, Power and Industrial Technique (BEIS) at this time (December 2) revealed that it might be investing £5.6m within the analysis scheme, based mostly on the Japanese carmaker’s Burnaston manufacturing plant, with an additional £5.7m coming from the Superior Propulsion Centre UK (APC).

Authorities claims that 250 jobs might be created by the venture, which can initially fund the creation of a pilot manufacturing line producing prototypes of the Hilux FC mannequin in 2023.

It ought to, nevertheless, pave the best way for “small sequence manufacturing” of the choice gas car (AFV) on the firm’s Deeside manufacturing facility in Wales.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) presently produces the Corolla hatchback, Corolla Touring Sports and industrial automobiles at its Burnaston plant and hybrid engines at its facility in Deeside.

The OEM mentioned that its new hydrogen venture mirrored its “360-degree strategy to sustainable mobility throughout all sectors”, including: “The APC funding will allow TMUK to develop hydrogen applied sciences for this particular car market phase in the course of the subsequent three years.”

Matt Harrison, Toyota Motor Europe’s president and chief govt, mentioned: “The UK is likely one of the key markets for pick-up vehicles and an essential marketplace for Toyota.

“This funding represents an incredible alternative to develop a zero-emission answer in a essential market phase. We want to thank the UK Authorities for the funding that can allow the consortium to analyze the event of a gas cell powertrain for the Toyota Hilux, supporting our carbon neutrality ambition.”

The venture will make use of elements from Toyota’s second-generation gas cell system, as featured within the newest Toyota Mirai, Toyota mentioned.

Additionally a part of the consortium that can pool useful resource into the event of the brand new hydrogen-powered Hilux are Ricardo, ETL, D2H and Thatcham Analysis.

Miller Crockart, chief income officer at Thatcham Analysis mentioned: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Toyota and Ricardo on this venture.

“While pure battery electrical automobiles are the poster youngster for decarbonisation within the automotive sector, continued analysis and the event of different gas sorts, akin to hydrogen, additionally maintain the potential to play a key half in attaining UK carbon neutrality targets.

“This venture is an efficient instance of how Authorities and the automotive sector can carry innovation and new development alternatives to the UK motor business.”


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