Coca-Cola partners with Toyota to test hydrogen truck

Toyota has engaged in a pilot program with Coca-Cola and Air Liquide to test its hydrogen fuel cells in a heavy-duty transport application. Toyota provides Coca-Cola with the converted truck for long-distance logistics operations, while Air Liquide provides the renewable hydrogen.

Last year, Toyota showed the first of its hydrogen fuel cell-converted DAF trucks provided by VDL Special Vehicles, which use Toyota’s fuel cell technology. One of these trucks will become part of Coca-Cola’s European long-haul fleet as part of a new pilot program for this heavy-duty hydrogen technology.

Air Liquide has been chosen as the provider of hydrogen from renewable energy sources for this project. Toyota does not mention a concrete location or duration, but it previously stated that it would test these trucks for five years.

Hydrogen vs. batteries

The theoretical advantages of hydrogen are clear for long-haul transport: more extended range, quicker refueling, and a higher payload due to the lack of heavy batteries. However, the higher cost and lower energy efficiency, combined with the current lack of infrastructure, are still a big hurdle for transport companies operating on slim margins.

Pilot projects like these can directly compare hydrogen and battery-powered trucks. Coca-Cola Belux has been running battery-electric trucks for its short-haul operations since 2022, and they are ideal candidates for delivery purposes, especially in city centers.

“This project will demonstrate the relevance of hydrogen for heavy-duty mobility. With a growing call for products with low-carbon transportation footprint, hydrogen is particularly well-suited to long-distance transportation, providing flexibility and productivity”, says Erwin Penfornis, Vice President of Hydrogen Energy World Business Line at Air Liquide.

“To help speed up the expansion of hydrogen technology implementation in our society, we are expanding the use of our Toyota Fuel Cell Module beyond passenger cars into trucks, buses, coaches, trains, boats, near-shore and short-sea vessels, stationary generators, and so on,” adds Thiebault Paquet, Vice President R&D at Toyota Motor Europe. “The insights gained from these proof of concepts will be crucial milestones for achieving zero tailpipe carbon emissions in our logistics operations by 2040.”