Daimler Buses and H2 MOBILITY Germany are cooperating in the expansion of the hydrogen tank infrastructure for transportation companies.
From now on, the bus manufacturer will be brokering the range of hydrogen tank services of H2 MOBILITY Germany for buses with hydrogen-based fuel cells as part of a holistic consulting approach.
H2 MOBILITY Germany, which according to its own information is the largest operator of a public hydrogen filling station network in Europe, is building further hydrogen filling stations in the direct vicinity of transportation companies in a demand-oriented manner.
In addition, an H2 dispenser can be installed directly at these companies’ own depot if required.
The publicly accessible filling stations are operated by H2 MOBILITY, which eliminates investment and operating costs for bus operators.
Daimler Buses customers therefore benefit from the services of an experienced provider who ensures operation and a continuous supply of hydrogen.
At the same time, the public H2 tank infrastructure will be strengthened and further expanded.
Mirko Sgodda, Head of Marketing, Sales and Customer Services, says: “We are pursuing a clear electrification strategy, and we are putting buses with alternative drive technologies onto the road. Like our parent company Daimler Truck, we are building on battery-electric vehicles and the hydrogen-based fuel cell.”
“With our eCitaro fuel cell, we have had an electrically powered bus in our portfolio since 2023, which is equipped with a hydrogen-based fuel cell to extend the range. We want to offer our customers the best solutions for smooth operation – and this includes a hydrogen tank facility in the immediate vicinity, or at their own depot,” he adds.
Falk Schulte-Wintrop, Director Sales & Business Development at H2 MOBILITY Germany, states: “The fleet conversion to alternative drive systems as part of the Clean Vehicle Directive is particularly successful when it is considered from the customer’s perspective. Together with Daimler Buses, we are committed to taking this path.”
“With this cooperation, we are creating optimal solutions for hydrogen mobility in local and long-distance passenger transport. By using the public H2 MOBILITY filling station network, companies benefit from enormous cost savings, and from our technical and operational experience gained over the last ten years,” he adds.
Focus on solutions for transportation companies
The electrification strategy of Daimler Buses goes far beyond the vehicle itself. In cooperation with the experts from Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH and further partners, Daimler Buses can provide turnkey solutions for the operation of electrically powered bus fleets from a single source: from individually configured buses to complete E or H2 infrastructure for the depot.
The offering in cooperation with H2 MOBILITY Germany supplements the existing portfolio with a solution for hydrogen tank systems, which outsources the entire complexity –- from construction to the ongoing operation of an H2 filling station – and which is easy to implement for Daimler Buses customers.
About the e-roadmap of Daimler Buses
Daimler Buses has a clear e-roadmap for the electrification of its vehicles across all segments.
In line with the dual strategy of the parent company Daimler Truck, Daimler Buses is building on both battery-electric and hydrogen-based technologies.
The purely battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro city bus has been in series production since 2018.
Since 2023, the vehicle has also been offered with a hydrogen-based fuel cell as a range extender.
In addition, Daimler Buses plans to have a battery-electric intercity bus in its portfolio from the second half of the decade, and electrically powered coaches by the end of the decade.
With this, Daimler Buses aims to offer locally CO2-neutral models based on batteries or hydrogen in every segment by 2030.
The focus is initially on the core markets of Europe and Latin America.
By 2039, only locally CO2-neutral new vehicles will be sold in the core market of Europe.
In Europe, this is expected to be the case in the city bus segment by as early as 2030.
Network development for hydrogen filling stations in Germany
Before the end of the year, the H2 MOBILITY station network will offer buses and trucks the option of refueling at 350 bar at more than 50 locations.
The company currently operates 34 of these stations in Germany.
Since 2021, the company has been investing in the expansion of existing filling stations and the construction of new H2 stations where heavy commercial vehicles can refuel.
