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Daimler Truck, a leader in heavy-duty transportation and decarbonization, pursuing a dual track strategy of battery electric and fuel cell. Daimler is convinced both have a place in the market. The battery is better suited for lesser loads and shorter distances, and the hydrogen fuel cell for larger loads and longer distances, heavy-duty transport.
Conceptualized in October 2019, Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks, powered by liquid hydrogen based fuel cells, have undergone rigorous testing on both test tracks and public roads. Daimler Truck is taking the next step by building a first customer-trial fleet of these hydrogen-powered trucks. Now companies like Amazon, Air Products, INEOS, Holcim, and Wiedmann & Winz are participating in these trials, gaining initial experience in CO2-free long-distance transport.
The company aims to introduce the series version of the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck in the second half of the decade, 2027.
The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks
- GenH2 Trucks inherit characteristics of the conventional Mercedes-Benz Actros long-haul truck in terms of payload, range and performance
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell System from cellcentric, a cutting-edge fuel-cell system that operates in a parallel hybrid configuration. This system combines the benefits of both hydrogen fuel cells and a battery to optimize efficiency and power delivery.
- The fuel cells generate a total power output of 300 kilowatts (kW) (equivalent to 2x 150 kW) .
- The battery, with a capacity of 70 kilowatt-hours (kWh), provides additional power when needed, reaching up to 400 kW temporarily
- At 70 kWh, the storage capacity of the battery is relatively low, as it is not intended to meet energy needs, but mainly to be switched on to provide situational power support for the fuel cell, for example during peak loads while accelerating or while driving uphill fully loaded. At the same time, the relatively light battery allows a higher payload. It is recharged with braking energy and excess fuel-cell energy.
- Daimler Truck prefers liquid hydrogen ( -253 degree C) in the development of hydrogen-based drives
- Two stainless-steel liquid-hydrogen tanks carry a total of 88 kilograms of liquid hydrogen (44 kg each). The stainless-steel tank system consists of two tubes, one within the other, that are connected to each other, and vacuum insulated.
- Electric Motors: In a pre-series version, the two electric motors are designed for a total of 2 x 230 kW continuous power and 2 x 330 kW maximum power.
- Range and Payload: The GenH2 Trucks offer an impressive range of up to 1,047 kilometers (approximately 620 miles) on one fill of liquid of hydrogen , that is 88kg of hydrogen. Thus 1047 KM per 88 kg of H2.
- They can carry a substantial payload up to 25 tons (50,000 pounds)with a gross vehicle weight of 40 tons (80,000 pounds).
- The semi-trailer tractors will operate on specific routes in Germany, transporting materials such as building supplies, sea containers, and cylinder gases.
- During these trials, the GenH2 Trucks will be refueled at designated public liquid hydrogen filling stations in Wörth am Rhein and the Duisburg area.
- For the first time, a new refueling process for liquid hydrogen will be used in the customer-trial fleet: the so-called “sLH2 technology” (sLH2 = “subcooled” liquid hydrogen). The technology was developed jointly with Linde and is freely available to all interested companies via an ISO standard.
- The innovative approach enables, among other things, an even higher storage density compared to LH2 and easier refueling within 10–15 minutes.
- These trucks represent a significant step toward CO₂-free long-distance transport and showcase the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source for heavy-duty vehicles .
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