Toyota Motor North America and Hyroad Energy have announced a partnership to expand hydrogen-powered freight transportation in Southern California through a combined offering of fuel cell trucks, hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and logistics support services.
Under the agreement, the companies plan to deploy 40 hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 trucks to support Toyota’s logistics operations in the region.
Hyroad will provide vehicle maintenance, software, fleet data services and operational support as part of the collaboration.
The trucks involved in the project are Nikola Tre fuel cell electric vehicle tractors acquired from the insolvency auction of Nikola in August 2025.
According to the companies, the Nikola Tre FCEV trucks deliver continuous power output of 400 kW and driving range of approximately 800 kilometres.
Following the acquisition of the vehicles, Hyroad expanded its services to support existing Nikola truck operators through maintenance programmes, repair services, fleet software and spare parts supply.
Toyota said hydrogen fuel for the trucks will be supplied through the company’s own refuelling infrastructure currently being developed in Ontario, California.
The companies said the project is intended to combine hydrogen vehicles, refuelling systems and operational management into a single commercial ecosystem for heavy-duty transport.
The partnership forms part of Toyota’s broader hydrogen strategy for commercial mobility.
Last year, Toyota announced a strategic cooperation agreement with Sinotruk focused on developing hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles for the Chinese market, particularly heavy-duty trucks.
Toyota has said its third-generation fuel cell system is expected to enter wider deployment in Japan, Europe, North America and China beginning in 2026.
In addition to using fuel cell technology in its own vehicles, Toyota also supplies hydrogen systems to external manufacturers.
Existing partners include BMW in the passenger vehicle sector, while bus manufacturers Caetano Bus and Karsan also use Toyota fuel cell systems.
In the commercial truck market, Toyota already supplies fuel cell technology to companies including VDL Groep, Paccar and Hyliko.
California remains one of the leading US regions for hydrogen transport infrastructure development, with hydrogen-powered trucks and buses from manufacturers such as Hyundai Motor already operating in the state.
The state had also begun developing hydrogen freight corridor infrastructure before the US federal hydrogen strategy was scaled back under President Donald Trump.
Dmitry Serov, founder and chief executive of Hyroad Energy, said the project demonstrates the importance of integrating infrastructure and operations to support hydrogen freight transport.
“Toyota has done exactly what great allies do — they’ve brought genuine hydrogen expertise to the table and made thoughtful, strategic decisions,” Serov said.
“They’re not waiting for someone else to build this ecosystem. They’re investing in it directly, and that’s what makes this meaningful,” he added.
“When fueling, vehicles, software, and operational commitment all come together, hydrogen trucking works.”
