The UK’s government-affiliated Advanced Propulsion Centre has announced £73mn ($89.7mn) will be invested by government and industry into five zero-emission vehicle projects, including more than £41mn for hydrogen fuel-cell trucks.

Automotive giant Toyota has received £5.6mn from the government to fund an £11.3mn project to develop a fuel-cell-powered prototype of its Hilux pickup truck. The prototypes will be produced in the UK over 2023, with small-series production to follow successful testing.

“The UK is one of the key markets for pickup trucks and is an important market for Toyota. This funding represents a tremendous opportunity to develop a zero-emission solution in a critical market segment,” says Matt Harrison, CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

£41mn – Investment into Toyota and HVS projects

Glasgow-based startup HVS has also received a £15mn grant to partially fund its $30mn project to bring a 40t fuel-cell-and-battery hybrid HGV to market by mid-decade. Last month, HVS announced it had developed a 5.5t demonstration vehicle.

This funding comes amid industry calls for further policy support for hydrogen mobility. The UK plans to end sales of non-hybrid petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, and sales of non-zero-emission HGVs by 2024, but has limited hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

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Author: Polly Martin