Hydrogen Trucking Finally Has a Power Trio

Toyota joins cellcentric as an equal partner, uniting three industry giants behind hydrogen fuel cells for heavy-duty trucking

14 Apr 2026

Toyota Motor Corporation has become an equal partner in cellcentric, the hydrogen fuel cell joint venture founded by Volvo Group and Daimler Truck in 2021, after the three companies signed a memorandum of understanding on 31 March 2026. The agreement, which remains subject to regulatory clearance, is the most significant consolidation of hydrogen fuel cell expertise in the commercial vehicle sector to date.

Cellcentric already employs more than 560 engineers and holds around 700 fuel cell patents, with its work focused on systems for heavy-duty trucks and other high-demand transport applications. Toyota's entry brings more than 30 years of fuel cell development across passenger cars, buses, and industrial equipment, extending the venture's technical base considerably.

Long-haul trucking is among the most difficult segments to decarbonise. Battery-electric systems face practical constraints in range, payload capacity, and the time required to recharge. Hydrogen fuel cells, which refuel faster and can sustain longer routes without a weight penalty, have gained traction among European policymakers and fleet operators as the more practicable solution for heavy freight at scale.

Beyond the equity arrangement, Toyota and cellcentric plan to collaborate on the development of the unit cell, the core component around which any fuel cell system is built. That level of technical integration indicates a working manufacturing partnership rather than a passive financial stake.

The three partners have also committed to supporting the expansion of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. That commitment carries strategic weight: without a reliable refuelling network, fleet operators are unlikely to commit to hydrogen vehicles regardless of the technology's merits.

Cellcentric will continue to operate as an independent company serving customers outside the partnership. Whether three of the world's largest commercial vehicle manufacturers can together move the economics of hydrogen fuel cells to a point where widespread fleet adoption becomes viable remains to be seen.