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| Daimler Truck Advances Hydrogen-Powered Transport with Fuel Cell Trucks: Entering New Phase of Development and Customer Trials Image credit: Daimler Truck |
Daimler Truck is progressing towards decarbonizing transportation with its next development phase of fuel cell trucks. The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks have successfully passed rigorous testing and are now entering an advanced stage for deployment in initial customer fleets.
Start of Customer Trials
The initial customer trials of five Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck fuel cell prototypes were launched at the Daimler Truck Test and Development Center in Woerth am Rhein. The event was celebrated by Martin Daum, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck, and Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). The trials involve notable partners including Air Products, Amazon, Holcim, INEOS, and Wiedmann & Winz.
Real-World Testing and Insights
These customers will gain practical experience in long-distance transport using fuel cell trucks during a trial phase lasting about a year. This period will allow Daimler Truck’s development team to gather valuable insights into the real-life operations of liquid hydrogen-powered trucks, understanding specific customer needs to inform series development.
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| Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck fuel cell prototypes Image credit: Electrical Cars Report |
Deployment and Applications
The five GenH2 Trucks will be used in various long-haul applications across Germany, such as transporting building materials, sea containers, and cylinder gases. Throughout the trials, the trucks will remain under the direct supervision of Daimler Truck and will be refueled at designated liquid hydrogen filling stations in Woerth am Rhein and future locations in Duisburg.
Customers and Use Cases
- Amazon: Logistics operations in Germany
- Air Products: Transport of cylinder gases
- Wiedmann & Winz: Transport of sea containers
- Holcim: Building materials logistics
- VERVAEKE (INEOS): PVC and vinyl transportation
Technical Specifications and Innovations
The GenH2 Truck is based on the conventional Mercedes-Benz Actros long-haul truck and offers a payload of approximately 25 tons with a gross combination weight of 40 tons. It features two special liquid hydrogen tanks and a powerful fuel-cell system developed by cellcentric, a Joint Venture between Daimler Truck and Volvo Group. The fuel-cell system delivers 300 kilowatts (2 x 150 kW) with an additional 400 kW temporarily provided by the battery.
Liquid Hydrogen Preference
Daimler Truck favors liquid hydrogen due to its higher energy density, which allows more hydrogen to be carried, significantly increasing the vehicle's range and performance. The stainless-steel liquid-hydrogen tanks have a high storage capacity of 88 kilograms, making the GenH2 Truck suitable for demanding long-haul transportation, comparable to conventional diesel trucks.
Achievements and Future Plans
In September 2023, Daimler Truck showcased the capabilities of the GenH2 Truck during the HydrogenRecordRun, where a prototype covered 1,047 km on a single tank of liquid hydrogen. This milestone demonstrates the potential of hydrogen-powered transport for the future.
Conclusion: A Step Towards Decarbonization
The ongoing trials and advancements in fuel cell technology by Daimler Truck signify a significant step towards decarbonizing the transport sector. The practical experiences and insights gained from these trials will pave the way for the future of long-haul hydrogen-powered trucks.
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