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Toyota’s UK division is using Mirai parts – and more than £5.6 million ($10.1 million) in government funding – to turn the Hilux into a hydrogen vehicle.
The Toyota HiLux ute is set to adopt hydrogen fuel-cell power in the UK, with a handful of experimental vehicles being built that could lead to small-scale production overseas.
In a media announcement, Toyota announced that it will lead a group of UK suppliers to build a fleet of hydrogen-powered HiLux prototypes – powered by Mirai hydrogen sedan technology – at its factory in Derbyshire, UK, starting in 2023 for two years.
While the project will initially be limited to the development of prototype vehicles, Toyota UK has not ruled out entering a limited production run of its hydrogen-powered HiLux utes for the buying public.
“Following the successful performance results, the target is to prepare for small series production,” Toyota UK said in a media statement.
Toyota says its hydrogen HiLux prototype will be powered by an electric motor and hydrogen fuel-cell stack from the Mirai sedan.
The Toyota Mirai’s three hydrogen tanks can hold 141 litres/5.6 kg of hydrogen pressurized to 700 bar (10,150psi), which feeds a fuel cell stack that powers a 1.2kWh lithium-ion battery – good for a claimed 46 . of driving range on the US EPA test cycle.
In October 2021, the Toyota Mirai set a new hydrogen efficiency benchmark by completing a round trip of more than 1360km in Southern California, beating its previous record by 360km.
Images uploaded by Toyota show that three hydrogen storage tanks will be located under the HiLux’s cab and tub, while the fuel cell stack is mounted in place of the engine at the front.
A single electric motor powers the rear wheels, although it has not been confirmed whether it will quote the same 134kW/300Nm output as the Mirai.
Toyota’s hydrogen Hilux project will receive £11.3 million ($AU20.4 million) in funding from the UK’s Advanced Propulsion Center (APC), with £5.6 million ($AU10.1 million) tipped by the UK government.
Toyota has invested heavily in hydrogen technology, from fuel cell vehicles like the Mirai to developing internal combustion engines that run on hydrogen instead of gasoline.
In February, Japanese reports suggested that the Land Cruiser might adopt a hydrogen-powered V8 engine in some form overseas.
The car giant has also previously raced the turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder variant of its Corolla and GR Yaris with hydrogen fuel instead of petrol.
While the hydrogen HiLux will be the first of its kind at Toyota, several Australian companies have recently launched zero-emission versions of the popular ute – but powered by batteries, not hydrogen.
Last month, Queensland tech start-up Roev announced prices for its electric-converted HiLux packages, starting at $47,990 – not including the cost of the donor, which typically ranges from $50,000 to $65,000.
SEA Electric is also aiming to build its own electric Toyota HiLux conversion, although the Melbourne-based firm has previously said battery-electric power is likely to more than triple the price of the 4×2 version of Australia’s best-selling ute.
The Toyota Hilux maintains its position as Australia’s best-selling new vehicle, with 60,120 examples recorded between January and the end of November 2022 – eclipsing its annual sales record at the end of October.
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