A consortium of automotive sector suppliers led by Toyota has secured an £11.3 million funding boost for a project that will develop a hydrogen-powered version of its Hilux pick-up truck.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) today (December 2) revealed that it would be investing £5.6m in the research scheme, based at the Japanese carmaker’s Burnaston manufacturing plant, with a further £5.7m coming from the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC).

Government claims that 250 jobs could be created by the project, which will initially fund the creation of a pilot production line producing prototypes of the Hilux FC model in 2023.

It should, however, pave the way for “small series production” of the alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) at the company's Deeside factory in Wales.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) currently produces the Corolla hatchback, Corolla Touring Sports and commercial vehicles at its Burnaston plant and hybrid engines at its facility in Deeside.