My old HiLux hauled camping gear through the Outback like a champ, its diesel engine chugging through dust and heat without a hiccup. So when Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s sales and marketing boss, declared on September 15, 2025, that diesel’s got about a decade left before hydrogen and petrol take over, it hit me like a ton of bricks. “Diesel’s not going anywhere in the next decade, but beyond that—I think hydrogen will take over diesel,” he told media, including CarExpert. As someone who’s felt the rumble of a diesel LandCruiser on red dirt roads, this prediction feels like the end of an era. Let’s unpack Toyota’s big bet on hydrogen, what it means for their lineup, and why Australia could lead the charge.
Diesel’s Deep Roots, But a Shifting Tide
Australia’s got diesel in its veins—utes like the HiLux and SUVs like the LandCruiser are legends for a reason. In 2023, the diesel-heavy HiLux was Toyota’s top seller, but by 2024, the hybrid-only RAV4 stole the spotlight. From January to August 2025, Toyota moved 163,491 vehicles, with diesels making up 79,132 (48.4%) across models like HiLux, LandCruiser, Prado, Fortuner, HiAce, Granvia, and Coaster. Hanley gets the diesel love: “There’s a culture of diesel in Australia.” But he’s blunt—petrol hybrids can match diesel’s grunt, and they’re cleaner. While turbo-diesel and turbo-petrol engines will hang on for heavy-duty jobs, Hanley’s eyeing the 2030s, especially 2035, for a hydrogen takeover.
Hydrogen: Clean, Long-Range, and Aussie-Made
Hanley’s big pitch is hydrogen’s potential: “It’s clean, has range, infrastructure will be better, more convenient, and affordable.” Toyota’s been a hydrogen pioneer, alongside Hyundai, testing the Mirai FCEV in Australia since 2020 (though it’s lease-only for businesses, with one refueling station in Altona, Victoria). They built 10 hydrogen HiLux utes for UK trials in 2024 and showed off a hydrogen HiAce prototype to local media in 2023, leaning on fuel-cell tech developed since 2017. “People are poo-pooing hydrogen… but it takes time, infrastructure, green hydrogen sourcing,” Hanley said. Australia’s got a goldmine of hydrogen resources, making it a prime spot to lead production and adoption. By 2035, he sees hydrogen-powered utes and SUVs ruling the roads.
Toyota’s Hybrid Bridge to a Hydrogen Future
Toyota’s not sitting still. In 2024, they switched nine models—their entire passenger car and urban SUV range, including the RAV4—to hybrid-only. A plug-in hybrid RAV4 drops in 2026, and a hybrid LandCruiser 300 Series joins it, moving away from its diesel roots. GR models like the GR Corolla stick with petrol for that raw thrill, but diesel powers commercial and off-road heavyweights for now. It’s a stepping stone: hybrids dominate today, setting the stage for hydrogen tomorrow. Hanley’s clear: “We’re very much invested in hydrogen—it’s not a short-term investment.”
Why Australia Could Be a Hydrogen Powerhouse
This shift could change everything for Australia’s drivers, from farmers to miners. Hydrogen’s zero emissions, quick refuels, and long range suit our vast landscapes perfectly. Toyota’s Mirai and prototypes like the hydrogen HiLux show they’re serious, but infrastructure’s the hurdle—more stations are needed. Hanley’s optimistic: “We have an abundance of hydrogen… a great opportunity for this country to be a leader.” Globally, Toyota’s multi-tech approach—hybrids, EVs, FCEVs—keeps them ahead. If hydrogen scales up, Australia could export green fuel alongside vehicles.
A Diesel Farewell, A Hydrogen Hello
As someone who’s wrestled with diesel jerry cans on remote tracks, I’m torn but excited. Diesel’s been a workhorse, but hydrogen’s clean promise feels like the future—especially for a LandCruiser that can cross the country without a petrol bowser. Toyota’s hybrid push buys time, and their hydrogen work is inspiring. Will we see a hydrogen HiLux by 2035? I’m betting on it. What’s your take—ready to ditch diesel or holding on? Drop a comment; I’m keen to hear from fellow Toyota fans.
Source- carexpert.com.au
