(Leinfelden-Echterdingen / Germany) – Daimler Truck plans to launch a small series of 100 vehicles of its hydrogen-powered truck, dubbed "NextGenH2". The tractor units, built in Wörth, are then scheduled to be delivered to customers for further testing starting at the end of 2026. The company had already announced this step in November 2025.we reported).
Cellcentric's fuel cells deliver a combined output of 300 kilowatts and are located in the engine compartment below the driver's cab. © Daimler Truck AG
The company stated that the "BZA150" fuel cells from Cellcentric GmbH & Co KG have proven their worth and will be used in the new vehicle; anything else would be surprising, as the manufacturer is a joint venture between Daimler Truck and Volvo. The two units are located in the engine compartment below the cab as a twin system with a total system output of 300 kilowatts (two 150-kilowatt units).
The liquid hydrogen technology of the first prototype, the "Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck," will also be used and further developed, including a more compact design and broader compatibility with trailers. The range on a single tank of hydrogen is "well over 1.000 kilometers" when fully loaded. In real-world customer tests, the "GenH2 Truck" consumed between 5,6 and 8 kilograms of hydrogen per 100 kilometers, with a gross combination weight between 16 and 34 tons.
The hydrogen consumption of the predecessor model, the "GenH2 Truck," ranged between 5,6 and 8 kilograms per 100 kilometers during customer trials. © Daimler Truck AG
In contrast, the new components are "relevant series components" from the all-electric "eActros 600" model. Daimler cites, for example, the aerodynamically optimized driver's cab, which is designed to reduce fuel consumption by up to three percent, as well as the integrated e-axle, the multimedia cockpit, and safety assistance systems. A lithium iron phosphate battery with a capacity of 101 kilowatt-hours serves as a buffer for the fuel cell and stores the recuperated energy during downhill driving or braking.
The multimedia cockpit is adopted from the all-electric "eActros 600" truck model. © Daimler Truck AG
In developing hydrogen-based drive systems, Daimler Truck prefers the use of liquid hydrogen. In this state of matter, at minus 253 degrees Celsius, the energy carrier has a significantly higher energy density compared to pressurized gaseous hydrogen. This reduces transport costs and offers advantages in terms of cost and weight, resulting in a considerable increase in performance. The volume of the two tanks has been increased to 85 kilograms on each side compared to the first generation. Refueling takes place within approximately 15 minutes. While this is comparable to diesel trucks, it applies only to stations equipped with the "sLH2" technology, which was developed jointly with Linde.
Series production is planned for the early 2030s. Daimler Truck criticizes the slow expansion of the hydrogen refueling infrastructure in Germany. © Daimler Truck AG
The development, production, and practical application of the "NextGenH2 Trucks" are being funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) and the German states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg with €226 million. "Hydrogen-based drives, alongside battery-electric solutions, are crucial for the sustainable transformation of our industry," says Achim Puchert, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. However, series production is not planned until the early 2030s. The company recently criticized the fact that the expansion of the hydrogen refueling infrastructure in Germany is progressing more slowly than expected.
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The “NextGenH2 Truck” is scheduled to be tested in real-world customer trials in a small series at the end of this year. © Daimler Truck AG
