Toyota’s hydrogen powered Hilux gets to work at Lyon Airport
A hydrogen-powered Toyota Hilux prototype is undergoing real-world trials at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport as part of a week-long deployment by Aéroports de Lyon.
The modified pickup is being used by the airport’s Wildlife and Infrastructure Surveillance teams to gather feedback on its suitability for airside duties.
Toyota Hilux hydrogen trial
The trial is a collaboration between Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK, Toyota France, Toyota Motor Europe and Aéroports de Lyon, with support from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional government.
The pilot follows the recent opening of a new hydrogen refuelling station at the airport, built by Hympulsion and backed by the region.
The site forms part of the broader Zero Emission Valley initiative – a regional push to build Europe’s largest renewable hydrogen ecosystem, with over 20 stations and 1,200 vehicles planned.
Invincible pickup, based on the Mirai
Toyota’s hydrogen Hilux is based on the current-gen pickup platform but swaps its diesel drivetrain for a fuel cell system derived from the Toyota Mirai.
First revealed in late 2023, the prototype was developed in the UK with funding from the UK government’s APC programme.
Ten trial vehicles were built in 2024 for evaluation by partners including airports, utility fleets and emergency services.
Lyon’s airport trial is the first known deployment of the hydrogen Hilux in a working environment.
A spokesperson for Aéroports de Lyon said the test will “provide valuable feedback to enable the manufacturer to adapt this prototype to the specific requirements of the airport environment.”
The test also underlines the growing interest in hydrogen mobility beyond cars and trucks, particularly in operational fleet settings where long runtimes, cold starts and remote refuelling are key factors.
