LONG BEACH, CA—Toyota Motor North America and Hino Trucks are working on a joint project to develop a Class 8 fuel cell electric truck (FCET) for the North American market. Engineers plan to combine the newly developed Hino XL Series chassis with Toyota’s fuel cell technology.

The initial demonstration vehicle is expected to be unveiled in the first half of 2021. The Toyota-Hino joint venture expands upon an existing effort to develop a 25-ton FCET for the Japanese market, which was announced earlier this year.

“A fuel cell-powered version of the Hino XL Series is a win-win for both customers and the community,” says Tak Yokoo, senior executive engineer at Toyota Research and Development. “It will be quiet, smooth and powerful, while emitting nothing but water.

“Toyota’s 20-plus years of fuel cell technology combined with Hino’s heavy-duty truck experience will create an innovative and capable product,” claims Yokoo.

“Toyota fuel cell technology offers our customers a commercially viable, extended range, zero emissions vehicle in the near term,” adds Glenn Ellis, senior vice president for customer experience at Hino. “[We share] a common focus with Toyota when it comes to durability, reliability and innovation with the customer at the center of design, which makes this collaboration a game changer.”