The investments come as part of wider industry and Government support through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) which is investing £73m ($89.5m) in five collaborative research and develop projects boost the UK automotive sector.

£11.3m ($13.8m) of the funding is headed for Toyota to develop and pilot produce a fuel cell version of its Hilux truck, which is hoped to support more than 250 jobs across the UK over the next decade.

“Toyota has the ultimate goal to become a carbon neutral organisation. This first step in this evolution was introducing hybrid 20 years ago and has expanded to include battery EVs, PHEVs, and hydrogen power,” said Richard Kenworthy, Managing Director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK.

Kenworthy added, “This exciting project allows Toyota the opportunity to develop a unique fuel cell commercial vehicle on the iconic Hilux platform, in the UK.

“This will significantly contribute to the skill base not only within Toyota in the UK but also through the consortium partners and wider supply chain. This collaboration with highly skilled technical engineering companies of all sizes allows the development of new and innovative solutions.”

Glasgow-based HVS, pursuing the develop of hydrogen-powered HGVs, has received a £15m ($18.4m) cut of the APC funding to help advance its £30m collaborative project to expedite the development of its vehicle’s fuel cell and battery powertrain.

Read more: HVS showcases 5.5 tonnes demonstrator vehicle

Having unveiled its first driving demonstrator vehicle just weeks ago, Jawad Khursheed, CEO of HVS said the new support will boost innovation and create UK jobs.

He said, “We have successfully produced our first driving fuel cell technology demonstrator vehicle and are on track to deliver the UK’s first-to-market hydrogen fuel cell-powered HGV.

“We have experienced rapid growth at HVS in as little as a year, now with this government support we will boost innovation, create thousands of UK-based jobs in the supply chain, and build upon our goal towards cleaner HGVs.”

Both the Toyota and HVS projects come in support of the UK Hydrogen Strategy’s ambition of decarbonising the automotive sector.

Other projects under the £73m fund include CHH Industrial producing a methane-powered offroad tractor, Constellium redefining aluminium recycling, and Electrified Automotion up-scaling permanent magnet electric motor manufacturing methods.

“Supporting vital research and development in the UK, now more than ever, provides an opportunity to invest in transport decarbonisation as well as boost growth in the automotive sector,” said Ian Constance, Chief Executive at the APC. “The £73m of funding furthers world-leading innovation in Net Zero technology for the automotive sector and beyond.”

It is hoped the five projects will save the carbon dioxide equivalent lifetime emissions of nearly one million cars, while creating or safeguarding more than 3,000 jobs.

Grant Shapps, UK Business Secretary, added, “Our automotive industry is a world-leader, creating jobs whether in Essex, Somerset, or Glasgow. Seizing the potential from new technologies will be part of its future success, while also making our roads cleaner, greener, and more affordable.

“This multi-million-pound boost, created by Government working hand-in-hand with industry – will put these firms in pole position to pioneer these innovations, staying at the cutting edge of the global race for decades to come.”

‘The stars are aligned’ for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, H2 View’s Mobility Snap Summit hears

The final session of H2 View’s Mobility Snap Summit heard that “the stars are aligned” for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Focusing on hydrogen mobility in North America, the third session of the day heard from David Yorke, Development Manager at Ballard, who said, “We can say the stars are aligned. Everything is coming together for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and hydrogen is the most competitive in the heavy-duty sector.”

Yorke told viewers that a combination of hydrogen developments seen at COP27, increasing pressure on companies to implement ESGs, and growing demand from operators are laying the foundations for hydrogen’s widespread introduction to transport…

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