Hydrogen Refuses to Fade at Hannover Show
Hydrogen as a mobility fuel may have lost some of its hype in recent years, but the IAA Transportation show in Hannover this week offered concrete evidence that the technology is far from dead. Toyota, the fuel cell pioneer, unveiled a next-generation system that nearly doubles power output at the same size, form factor, and weight.
The new generation will be available in multiple configurations: a compact 110 kW module for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, a bar-shaped module for buses, and a heavy-duty module for trucks and industrial machinery. Toyota's Hilux pickup, equipped with the 110 kW module, is expected to reach market by mid-2028.
Industrial Adoption Accelerates
The most significant announcements were in the heavy-duty space. Swedish truck maker Scania will equip 40 heavy-duty vehicles with Toyota's new system starting next year for testing. Italian truck manufacturer Iveco will equip its S-eWay Fuel Cell semi-trailer with the same system, with road tests planned for the coming year.
Toyota positions the fuel cell as complementary to battery-electric, not competitive. Certain use cases — 24/7 operations, long-haul freight, heavy loads over long distances — don't fit the charging window of battery technology, said Ozan Bilgin, Toyota Motor Europe's hydrogen business development manager.
Chinese Competition Arrives
Chinese brand Rygg also debuted at the show, offering an H2 semi-trailer truck built on a Ford platform. The entry signals that hydrogen heavy-duty vehicle development is no longer the exclusive domain of established European and Japanese manufacturers.
The Infrastructure Piece
A new hydrogen refueling station opened at Hannover-Langenhagen airport in conjunction with the show, part of a broader buildout by H2 Mobility. For hydrogen to succeed in commercial transport, the refueling network must scale alongside vehicle production — and the Hannover show suggests both are progressing.
