A Strategic Push to Scale Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology for Heavy-Duty Transport
Toyota Motor Corporation is set to deepen its commitment to hydrogen mobility by planning to join Daimler Truck and Volvo Group as an equal shareholder in the fuel cell joint venture cellcentric, marking a significant step toward scaling fuel cell technology for heavy-duty transport.
Daimler Truck, Volvo Group, cellcentric, and Toyota Motor Corporation have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore closer collaboration in fuel cell system development. Under the proposed arrangement, Toyota would become a third equal partner in cellcentric, joining the existing 50:50 joint venture between Daimler Truck and Volvo Group.
The collaboration is designed to combine the strengths of all parties: Daimler Truck and Volvo bring deep expertise in commercial vehicle engineering and industrialization at scale, while Toyota contributes over three decades of fuel cell development experience, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and proven system integration know-how from passenger and light commercial applications.
Together, the partners intend to accelerate the development, production, and commercialization of next-generation fuel cell systems for heavy-duty on-road and off-road vehicles, as well as other demanding applications. A key focus will also be the co-development of fuel cell unit cells—the core technology within fuel cell systems—along with associated architecture and control systems, aimed at improving performance, cost efficiency, and scalability.
If finalized, Toyota is expected to participate in a capital increase in cellcentric to establish an equal ownership structure among the three companies. The joint venture will continue to operate as an independent entity, serving global customers across the heavy-duty transport and stationary energy sectors.
Leadership from all three companies emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership in accelerating the hydrogen ecosystem:
Karin Rådström, President and CEO of Daimler Truck, said the planned partnership would strengthen development efforts and help scale hydrogen technology as a complement to battery-electric solutions in the decarbonization of transport.
Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO of Volvo Group, described the collaboration as a strong signal to the industry, highlighting the importance of pooling capabilities to accelerate the shift toward net-zero transport solutions.
Koji Sato, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation, noted that the partnership reflects a shared ambition to advance a hydrogen society, combining Toyota’s long-standing fuel cell expertise with cellcentric’s leadership in commercial vehicle applications.
Nicholas Loughlan, Managing Director and CTO of cellcentric, welcomed Toyota’s intended entry, describing it as a strong endorsement of the venture’s technology and long-term vision.
Founded in 2021 by Daimler Truck and Volvo Group, cellcentric is focused on becoming a global leader in fuel cell systems for heavy-duty applications. The company operates across sites in Germany and Canada and continues to expand its intellectual property portfolio, with hundreds of patents supporting its technology base.
The agreement remains non-binding, with further negotiations and regulatory approvals required before the partnership can be finalized.
