(Kirchheim / Germany) – Toyota Motor Corporation intends to become an equal shareholder in Cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG. A non-binding agreement to this effect has been signed. The joint venture, founded in 2021 by Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group, plans to establish large-scale production of fuel cells in Weilheim, Germany. Upon completion of the final transaction, Toyota will contribute its complementary know-how and expertise to the joint venture, the company stated. The three corporations aim to establish Cellcentric as a leading manufacturer of fuel cell systems for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and other heavy-duty applications.
Signed a memorandum of understanding (from left): Karin Rådström (President & CEO Daimler Truck), Koji Sato (President & CEO Toyota Motor Corporation), Martin Lundstedt (President & CEO Volvo Group). © Cellcentric GmbH & Co KG
Furthermore, Toyota and Cellcentric intend to jointly develop individual cells as well as the directly associated system architecture and control elements. In addition, the companies plan to actively support the development of hydrogen supply and infrastructure through collaboration with industry associations and partners along the entire hydrogen value chain.
Daimler Truck, Volvo, and Toyota view hydrogen as a key energy source for decarbonizing transportation. With Toyota's involvement, "we can strengthen the development of hydrogen technologies" and complement battery-electric drives in the decarbonization of transport, says Daimler Truck CEO Karin Rådström. Martin Lundstedt, CEO of the Volvo Group, sees the cooperation with Toyota as "an important signal to customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders." Given the urgency of accelerating the transition to climate-neutral transport, collaboration between large companies is "more important than ever." Together, they can "create one of the world's leading fuel cell systems for heavy-duty commercial vehicles," says Toyota Managing Director Koji Sato.
Toyota invests via a capital increase
According to Cellcentric CEO Nicholas Loughlan, the joint venture will continue to operate as a separate and independent company. More than 560 employees work at the locations in Kirchheim/Teck, Esslingen, Stuttgart (Germany), and Burnaby (Canada). Toyota intends to acquire an equal stake in Cellcentric through a capital increase. In all other business areas, Daimler Truck, Volvo, and Toyota will continue to compete independently. However, the agreement is not yet legally binding and requires the approval of all parties, boards of directors, and regulatory authorities.
Daimler Truck plans to launch a small series of 100 vehicles of its "NextGenH2" truck: "For distances well over 1.000 kilometers and high payloads, hydrogen is the better solution." © Daimler Truck AG
Daimler Truck describes its ambitions for hydrogen trucks as a "perfect complement" to battery-electric vehicles. "Battery first is and remains the right approach and covers many of our customers' use cases," says Andreas Gorbach, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Truck Technology. "However, for distances well over 1.000 kilometers, high payloads, energy-intensive applications such as refrigerated transport, or when flexibility is needed for demanding routes, hydrogen is the better solution."
The Mercedes-Benz “GenH2 Truck” has already covered more than 225.000 kilometers in real-world customer trials. The next test phase for the tractor units built in Wörth will begin at the end of 2026. Daimler Truck plans to launch a small series of 100 vehicles of its hydrogen truck as the “NextGenH2” (we reportedThe “BZA150” type fuel cells from Cellcentric have proven their worth and will be used in the new vehicle, says Gorbach, who previously served as Cellcentric CEO.
The power grid will soon reach its limits.
In terms of infrastructure, "battery first" is also the right approach, since battery-electric vehicles rely on the existing power grid. However, charging just ten long-haul trucks simultaneously at a rest stop within 45 minutes requires around ten megawatts of power – roughly the same as a small town. The existing power grid would therefore quickly reach its limits.
The parallel development of electricity and hydrogen infrastructure is "faster and more cost-efficient for our industry." However, once the grid reaches its limit, expanding it in isolation will be significantly slower and more expensive. "When the price of hydrogen drops to around five euros per kilogram, operation will become economically attractive." At the same time, hydrogen reduces geopolitical dependencies, as the materials needed for fuel cells are largely available and recyclable in Europe.
Photo above
In June 2024, Cellcentric began pilot production of its new fuel cell systems for trucks in Esslingen near Stuttgart. © Cellcentric GmbH & Co KG
