Daimler Truck is pushing forward in the decarbonization of transport with hydrogen-powered trucks, entering the next phase of development.
After rigorous testing on dedicated tracks and public roads, fuel cell vehicles have reached an advanced stage of development, paving the way for customer trials.
In this next step, Daimler Truck is establishing a customer-oriented trial fleet of Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks.
Starting from mid-2024, major companies such as Amazon, Air Products, Holcim, INEOS, and Wiedmann & Winz will embark on the first-hand experience of CO2-free long-distance transport using fuel cell vehicles.
Andreas Gorbach, Member of the Board of Daimler Truck AG, responsible for Truck Technology, stated: “With this first customer fleet, we are now testing our fuel cell truck in real customer operations.”
“It’s a win-win situation for both sides: our customers get to know the fuel cell drive in daily use, and our development team gains valuable insights into customer needs and relevant use cases for series development,” he added.
The five tractor-trailer trucks will operate on specific routes in Germany, engaging in various long-haul applications such as transporting construction materials, sea containers, and bottled gases.
Throughout the customer trials, the GenH2 Trucks will remain under the direct care and responsibility of Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
The vehicles will be refueled at designated public liquid hydrogen stations (sLH2) in Wörth am Rhein and the Duisburg area.
With this initiative, Daimler Truck, alongside partner companies, demonstrates that decarbonized transport with hydrogen-powered trucks is achievable today.
However, the successful transformation towards hydrogen-driven freight transport will depend on establishing widespread and global hydrogen infrastructure, coupled with a sufficient supply of green liquid hydrogen in the coming years.
