Hydrogen-fuelled van put to test

Toyota has begun trials of a hydrogen-powered Hiace on public roads in Australia as well as putting the van through its paces in off-road situations across the ditch.

Hiroki Nakajima, the carmaker’s executive vice-president, says data gathered from the testing will contribute to the future commercialisation of its hydrogen-fuelled vehicles.

Toyota has had a Corolla that uses hydrogen competing in Japan’s Super Taikyu motorsport series since 2021. 

The development of fuel-cell electric vehicles is part of its carbon-neutral vision to “create a future for internal combustion engines and ensure car lovers are not left behind”.

The company says much of the technology honed through motorsports is now at the commercialisation stage and ready to be put into models used on public roads.

To watch a video about the development and testing of the special Hiace, click here.