--- title: "Isuzu and Toyota develop lightweight fuel cell truck" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/282827571.md" description: "Isuzu and Toyota are collaborating to develop a lightweight fuel cell truck, set for series production by 2027. The truck will be based on the Isuzu ELF EV model and will utilize Toyota’s third-generation fuel cell system. This partnership aims to address the challenges of high vehicle costs and improve operational efficiency for light commercial vehicles, particularly in delivery applications. The development will also benefit from insights gained from their upcoming fuel cell bus project." datetime: "2026-04-15T10:30:00.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/282827571.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/282827571.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/282827571.md) generator: "portal-rs" --- # Isuzu and Toyota develop lightweight fuel cell truck The new vehicle will be based on the Isuzu ELF EV model, a battery-electric truck available with a gross vehicle weight rating of five or 7.5 tonnes. The 7.5-tonne variant is equipped with a battery of up to 100 kWh, offering a range of 250 kilometres. Toyota and Isuzu have not yet disclosed specific technical details about the planned hydrogen truck, as their development partnership was only recently agreed. The only confirmed detail is that the vehicle will incorporate Toyota’s third-generation fuel cell system. Production is scheduled to begin in the fiscal year 2027, which starts on 1 April 2027 and runs until 31 March 2028 in Japan. For potential applications, the two companies highlight typical use cases for light commercial vehicles in this weight class, such as deliveries to supermarkets, grocery stores, and other outlets supplying daily essentials. “In many cases, these vehicles are equipped with refrigeration or frozen storage capabilities and make multiple deliveries per day, requiring long operating hours and being driven long distances. Under such operating conditions, quick energy replenishment is essential to maintaining operational efficiency,” Toyota stated. For these high-utilisation applications, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), which use hydrogen as a high-energy fuel, represent an effective solution. Compared to battery-electric vehicles, which require lengthy charging times, FCEVs can significantly reduce refuelling time. The development of the lightweight truck will also draw on insights from the joint work on the fuel cell bus set to launch this year. Key focus areas include the complexity of control technologies and system improvements, the durability of fuel cells, and the reliability demanded by commercial vehicles. In identically worded statements, Toyota and Isuzu also addressed another challenge: “One of the barriers to the widespread adoption of FCEVs is the high vehicle price point.” Isuzu aims to reduce vehicle-side costs by optimising the body structure and reviewing manufacturing processes – benefits that will extend to all drivetrain types. Toyota is pursuing similar approaches through innovations in fuel cell design and manufacturing processes. global.toyota, isuzu-global.com ### Related Stocks - [7203.JP](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/7203.JP.md) - [TM.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/TM.US.md) - [7202.JP](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/7202.JP.md) - [TMH.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/TMH.US.md) ## Related News & Research - [Toyota to begin China production of Lexus electric SUV in H2 2027 at 1,000 units a month, report says](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297291431.md) - [Key facts: Toyota (7203) China EVs 2027; Level 2++ AI assist 2028](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297244500.md) - [Toyota sales, production fall on sharp declines in China, Middle East](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297264866.md) - [Toyota launches its updated bZ5 electric SUV at half the price of a Tesla Model Y](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297222394.md) - [Toyota launches refreshed bZ5, betting on stronger driver assistance to retain Chinese buyers](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296996484.md) --- > **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**