Toyota on Tuesday revealed a prototype hydrogen fuel-cell pickup truck, but it surely’s unclear if the mission will progress to a manufacturing car.

Primarily based on the overseas-market Hilux, the prototype was developed by Toyota Motor Manufacturing U.Ok. and a handful of companion corporations, with U.Ok. authorities funding. The Hilux was chosen as a result of it has a popularity for sturdiness and reliability that Toyota needed to use to fuel-cell powertrains, in line with an organization press launch.

Toyota Hilux hydrogen fuel-cell prototype

The pickup was fitted with a fuel-cell powertrain made with “core parts” from the Toyota Mirai fuel-cell sedan. Hydrogen tanks retailer sufficient gas for an estimated 372 miles of vary, however they’re supplemented (and certain buffered for responsiveness) by a battery pack mounted within the mattress.

The mission was launched in early 2022 with a feasibility examine, however building of the prototype did not begin till June 5 of this 12 months. The finished prototype will likely be evaluated by Ricardo, one of many companion corporations concerned within the mission, after which a call will likely be made concerning a possible manufacturing mannequin. If it will get the inexperienced gentle, it might be launched within the second half of this decade, in line with Toyota.

Toyota Hilux hydrogen fuel-cell prototype

For now, the Mirai stands as one of many best-driving sedans Toyota makes—though the automobile itself is a bit inappropriate, given the infrastructure challenges of hydrogen. Along with that, Toyota has confirmed a fuel-cell model of the Crown in Japan, and has began making fuel-cell modules for business vans and different purposes in Kentucky.

Might a fuel-cell pickup be subsequent for manufacturing? The Hilux is shut in dimension to the U.S.-market Toyota Tacoma. The 2 fashions have been as soon as associated, however that is not the case. Toyota is emphasizing hybrid tech within the revamped 2024 Tacoma lineup with no EV on the menu simply but. Toyota has stated {that a} totally electrical pickup is on the best way in “the close to future.”