- A strategic collaboration combining complementary capabilities to advance fuel cell technology for heavy-duty transport applications through deployment and validation in customer operations
- Higher power, improved energy efficiency and increased durability will advance hydrogen-powered transport toward commercial-scale deployment
Brussels / Turin, 10 September 2026 – IVECO and Toyota announce a new collaboration under EMPOWER – the EU-funded Horizon Europe project dedicated to advancing zero-emission heavy-duty transport – marking a significant milestone in the development of next-generation fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) for the heavy-duty transport sector.
Under the EMPOWER project, Toyota will provide the fuel cell system for IVECO's new-generation FCEVs. Leveraging the complementary strengths of the two companies, Toyota contributes its most advanced fuel cell technology, built on more than three decades of innovation, development and commercialization across mobility and industrial applications. IVECO leads the overall vehicle development, integration and validation activities, drawing on its pioneering role in sustainable transport and the experience gained through landmark hydrogen projects and real-world demonstrations.
The new FCEVs represent a major technological leap, delivering significant improvements across key performance indicators compared with IVECO's first-generation fuel cell trucks deployed as part of the H2Haul project. Building on the valuable operational insights gained through this programme, the new vehicle advances the maturity, efficiency and scalability of hydrogen-powered solutions.
Powered by Toyota fuel cell systems with a total output of 300 kW, the IVECO S-eWay Fuel Cell combines increased performance with improved efficiency, extending driving range beyond 900 km while significantly enhancing durability to more than 25,000 operating hours. In parallel, vehicle weight has been reduced, and the overall architecture has been simplified through a more efficient energy management strategy, requiring only half the battery capacity of the previous generation.
Together, these improvements bring fuel cell technology closer to the operational, economic and durability requirements of large-scale commercial transport. These advancements are aligned with the latest progress in Toyota fuel cell technology, which is increasingly focused on meeting the demanding requirements of commercial vehicle applications through higher reliability, improved efficiency and extended operational life.
Validation and testing activities are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. The project aims to demonstrate the technology under demanding real-world operating conditions, with on-road trials planned to start in the first half of 2027. The insights gained from these activities will contribute to the development of commercially viable hydrogen-powered solutions for long-haul and heavy-duty transport applications, serving as a pilot platform for a future industrial scale-up.
Marco Liccardo, Chief Technology & Digital Officer, Iveco Group, commented:
"Hydrogen is a key enabler of the future energy and mobility ecosystem. By joining forces with Toyota through EMPOWER, we are investing in a long-term vision for heavy-duty transport, one that combines sustainability, energy resilience and operational performance. Through EMPOWER, we are bringing together leading fuel cell expertise and advanced vehicle engineering to help unlock the full potential of hydrogen and drive the evolution of zero-emission heavy-duty transport. Together, we aim to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission solutions and contribute to redefining how goods move in the decades ahead."
Shinichi Yasui, Executive Vice President, R&D, Toyota Motor Europe, said:
"The transition to zero-emission freight requires technologies that can meet the realities of commercial transport. For high-mileage, heavy-duty operations, hydrogen fuel cell technology offers strong potential by combining range, uptime and efficiency. By working together with IVECO, we aim to demonstrate how Toyota's third-generation fuel cell system can help customers move towards zero-tailpipe emission logistics without compromising operational needs."
IVECO is also contributing to the EMPOWER project through the deployment of a battery-electric truck demonstrator. Both initiatives reaffirm IVECO's multi-energy approach to decarbonisation, in which hydrogen fuel cell technology complements battery-electric and renewable fuel solutions to address the full spectrum of customer transport needs. By matching the most suitable technology to the specific operational requirements of each mission, IVECO is advancing a pragmatic and effective pathway towards zero-emission transport.
