(Duisburg / Germany) – Rhenus Logistics SE & Co. KG is deploying a Daimler Truck fuel cell truck in its daily logistics operations. Together with four other companies, it is participating in the second phase of customer-focused field testing of the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck.
On call around the clock
The truck is fully integrated into operational processes and is used in regular service five days a week, day and night. This means the vehicle is in operation almost around the clock. The routes include regional journeys of approximately 150 kilometers as well as long-distance trips covering distances of up to approximately 650 kilometers.
The field test covers a broad spectrum of transport requirements – from classic distribution traffic to long-haul routes. The Duisburg location is a central hub in Rhenus' European logistics network. This offers not only high transport volumes but also the necessary proximity to the existing hydrogen refueling infrastructure. For the company, the focus of the test is primarily on everyday operational experience – from the refueling process and its handling, to the technical specifics of hydrogen technology, and on to range and refueling times compared to diesel trucks.
One year of practical experience
The operational experience will be evaluated in collaboration with Daimler Truck. The one-year test will provide reliable insights for the further development of alternative drive technologies and their future application in road freight transport. The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, with a gross vehicle weight of approximately 40 tons, a range of over 1.000 kilometers, and the use of liquid hydrogen as an energy carrier, is designed for long-haul transport.
“We see promising potential in hydrogen-powered trucks, especially in energy-intensive heavy-duty and long-haul transport,” says Thilo Meutzner, Managing Director of Rhenus Road Freight in Germany. “Practical testing helps us to realistically assess the conditions under which this technology can be used more widely in the future.” For a market ramp-up, the expansion of the refueling infrastructure, the availability of green hydrogen, and competitive costs are particularly crucial.
Photo above
Rhenus is testing the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 truck in regular logistics operations. © Rhenus Logistics SE & Co. KG
