LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Hyroad Energy is announcing a definitive agreement with Toyota Motor North America to deploy 40 hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 commercial trucks in Southern California.
“Accelerating the hydrogen economy requires collaboration, and Toyota is proud to work with Hyroad to move the heavy-duty sector forward,” said Jason Zahorik, general manager, Toyota Hydrogen Solutions. “By bringing the critical elements together, we’re demonstrating how fuel cells create tangible value across supply chains while advancing a foundational pillar of the hydrogen economy. With hydrogen, we share a vision for cleaner, more powerful and more energy independent mobility.”
Combined Resources
Under the agreement, Hyroad will provide trucks, maintenance, data and software services to support Toyota’s logistics operations. Toyota will supply hydrogen fuel through its own refueling infrastructure, currently under development in Ontario, Calif. The two companies are bringing together the interconnected pieces that a functioning hydrogen trucking ecosystem requires — vehicles, software and fuel supply — under a single commercial framework.
“For Toyota, this is one piece of a much larger hydrogen commitment that spans more than 30 years of experience in fuel cell development,” the company said. “The company is investing significantly in the hydrogen value chain, including fuel cell development and refueling infrastructure, and sees commercial trucking as a critical proving ground for that ecosystem at scale. For instance, in keeping supply and demand moving at a rapid pace, a fuel cell Class 8 truck is able to take up to 70 kg of hydrogen onboard – about the same as 12 Toyota Mirai sedans.”
Like a diesel semi-truck, a fuel cell Class 8 takes about 15-20 minutes to fill and has an approximate driving range of up to 500 miles between fill-ups. Unlike a diesel truck, however, the only local emission from a hydrogen-powered truck is water vapor.
A Bundled Commercial Structure
Hyroad’s full-service model covers the truck, maintenance and fleet management software under a bundled commercial structure, removing the operational complexity that has historically slowed adoption of alternative-fuel commercial vehicles. As an OEM-agnostic operator rather than a manufacturer, Hyroad’s role is to assemble the pieces — vehicles from multiple sources, hydrogen supply, truck maintenance and software — into a solution fleets can actually use.
In August 2025, Hyroad acquired 117 hydrogen fuel cell trucks, spare parts, software platforms and IP assets from Nikola Corporation’s bankruptcy auction. Thereafter, Hyroad announced an expansion of its service offerings to include comprehensive maintenance and support services for existing Nikola truck owners, software solutions for fleet management, repair services and parts supply.
“Toyota has done exactly what great allies do — they’ve brought genuine hydrogen expertise to the table and made thoughtful, strategic decisions,” said Dmitry Serov, founder and CEO of Hyroad Energy. “They’re not waiting for someone else to build this ecosystem. They’re investing in it directly, and that’s what makes this meaningful. When fueling, vehicles, software and operational commitment all come together, hydrogen trucking works.”
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
