Toyota Motor Europe has joined forces with Hydrogen Refuelling Solutions (HRS) and French energy group Engie to develop advanced hydrogen refuelling systems aimed at significantly reducing refuelling times for commercial vehicles. The initiative, part of the European Union-funded RHeaDHy project, seeks to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy source for heavy-duty transport.
The RHeaDHy project (Refuelling Heavy Duty with very High flow Hydrogen) focuses on creating high-performance hydrogen refuelling stations capable of refuelling 700-bar hydrogen trucks with 100 kilograms of hydrogen in under ten minutes. This breakthrough is expected to address one of the key challenges in expanding hydrogen infrastructure: the need for faster refuelling solutions for both light and heavy fuel cell vehicles.
The new twin-mid-flow technology, central to the project, uses a high-flow fuelling nozzle that allows heavy commercial vehicles to refuel in less than ten minutes and light commercial vehicles in under five minutes at the same dispenser. This eliminates the need for separate dispensers, reducing installation costs for refuelling station operators.
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“To contribute to the growth of hydrogen ecosystems, Toyota is already working with business partners who are innovating a wide range of zero carbon emission applications using our advanced fuel cell systems,” said Thiebault Paquet, Head of Fuel Cell Business at Toyota Motor Europe. “Development of the Twin Mid Flow Technology is a next step in our effort to stimulate the growth of hydrogen ecosystems. We are excited about this new partnership.”
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Toyota is providing a test bench and a truck equipped with the twin-mid-flow technology for the project. HRS and Engie are developing compatible hydrogen refuelling stations, which will undergo testing starting in the fourth quarter of 2025.
“This strategic partnership with Toyota Motor Europe and ENGIE marks a decisive step in hydrogen refuelling infrastructure innovation,” said Hassen Rachedi, CEO and founder of Hydrogen Refuelling Solutions. “By combining our expertise, we will accelerate the roll-out of hydrogen stations across Europe and the world, reducing refuelling times and making stations more accessible and cost-effective. Together, we are laying the foundations for a future in which hydrogen will play a central role in decarbonising transport worldwide.”
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The project aligns with the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which mandates the installation of hydrogen refuelling stations every 200 kilometres along the main routes of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) by 2030. If successful, the initiative could help achieve these targets ahead of schedule.
Toyota, a pioneer in hydrogen fuel cell technology, currently markets the Mirai fuel cell car in Europe and is collaborating with BMW on its first series-produced fuel cell vehicle, set for launch in 2028. While Toyota does not produce fuel cell trucks in Europe, it has partnered with Dutch commercial vehicle manufacturer VDL to integrate its fuel cell technology into trucks, which may also be utilised in the RHeaDHy project.
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The development of high-speed hydrogen refuelling systems marks a significant step towards making hydrogen a viable alternative for decarbonising heavy-duty transport, a critical component of global efforts to combat climate change.