Toyota and Scania team up: 40 300 kW hydrogen trucks by 2027
Toyota and Scania have decided to take their hydrogen initiative beyond the laboratory and test it where its future truly hinges: in the daily operations of heavy transportation. Both companies have announced a partnership to install Toyota’s third-generation fuel cell systems in 40 Scania heavy trucks, which will participate in the Swedish manufacturer’s Pilot Partner program.
The first vehicles will begin operating during the first quarter of 2027, within real logistics operations. The goal of this project is not only to demonstrate that the technology works but also to determine under what conditions it can be competitive compared to other decarbonization options.
The third generation of Toyota’s system
These trucks will enable data collection on performance, operational efficiency, and maintenance costs in demanding applications—precisely those where conventional battery electric transportation may face greater limitations in range, charging times, or heavy usage. Toyota’s system, which will be installed on Scania trucks, generates 300 kW and is designed in a compact format for heavy commercial use.
"We believe heavy transportation is key to driving demand and developing hydrogen infrastructure. On the other hand, we think hydrogen is the ideal solution for high-volume, demanding applications where range, high utilization rates, and operational efficiency are essential," said Hiroki Nakajima, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Corporation.
"With the integration of Toyota’s third-generation fuel cell system into Scania customers’ logistics operations, we are taking a significant step forward together to enable hydrogen-based mobility to play a greater role in Europe’s heavy transport sector," he adds, referring to the system’s evolution introduced in 2025 with improvements tailored specifically for professional use, including higher efficiency, cost reduction, and durability on par with conventional diesel engines.
Scania has been testing for some time
Choosing Scania as a partner also provides an established testing environment, as its Pilot Partner program has been using real-world operations as a test bed for years. For example, in 2025, Scania began testing fuel cell trucks alongside the Norwegian logistics company Asko Norge to evaluate their technical performance, operational feasibility, and commercial potential. Those tests explored a range of possibilities, including an operating range of up to 1,000 kilometers per refueling stop.
The brand maintains battery-powered electric transportation as the core of its decarbonization strategy, but it believes it is necessary to evaluate other technologies to determine which solution works best for each type of operation. Hydrogen is seen as an alternative that could become particularly important for long-distance routes and vehicles with high usage levels, where maintaining long and consistent operating times is a priority.
Sara Forsberg, Scania’s technology director, emphasizes the value of the project precisely in this field experience: “We are delighted to collaborate with Toyota to explore how fuel cell technology performs in real-world, demanding transportation scenarios.”
“Through our Pilot Partner program, we work with select customers to test new technologies in real-world applications, learn from the experience, and continue developing our systems. This collaboration will provide us with valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with hydrogen fuel cell technology in heavy transportation,” he concludes.