Daimler Truck begins a new test phase with its GenH2 hydrogen fuel cell trucks

A little over a year and a half ago, Daimler Truck began the first customer trials of its hydrogen-powered truck, the MercedesMercedes-Benz GenH2. Following the success of that initiative, the German manufacturer is now preparing to launch a second, much more demanding phase, in which five logistics companies will incorporate this truck into their daily operations on German territory to evaluate the experience.

These companies are Hornbach, Reber Logistik, Ratiopharm, Rhenus and DHL Supply Chain. Each of them will put one GenH2 unit through its paces on its usual routes, with different applications, ranging from temperature-controlled pharmaceutical transport to international freight haulage.

According to the manufacturer itself, its aim with this experience is for every issue that arises during this test phase to translate directly into improvements implemented in the final production version of this heavy truck. The five prototypes will operate in real-world conditions, well beyond the customer-oriented trials carried out in the summer of 2024.

Key technical specifications

The GenH2 features two hydrogen fuel cells developed by Cellcentric -the joint venture created between Daimler Truck and the Volvo- group- which together deliver 300 kW -2 × 150 kW-. Both are complemented by a 70 kWh battery pack capable of providing up to 400 kW additionally at peak demand, such as during hard acceleration or prolonged climbs.

The GenH2’s electric motors, on the other hand, offer 460 kW of continuous power and 660 kW of peak power, with combined torque of over 4,000 Nm. The entire system features a sophisticated cooling and heating circuit that keeps the vehicle’s essential components at their optimum temperature so they can deliver the best performance while prolonging their service life.

It should also be noted that, with a maximum gross mass of 40 tonnes, the GenH2 can carry around 25 tonnes of payload, with a maximum range that can exceed a thousand kilometres. The viability of these hydrogen-powered trucks is, however, heavily determined by the level of infrastructure available in each area. In Germany, for example, there are only a couple of public hydrogen refuelling stations, one in Wörth am Rhein and the other near Duisburg.

Although the original plan was to begin commercialising these new hydrogen-powered trucks in 2027, the slow rollout of refuelling stations has forced Daimler Truck to postpone the launch until the early 2030s and to significantly reduce the planned volumes. Before that happens, at the end of 2026, the German manufacturer will launch a small series of around one hundred units, which will be built at the Wörth plant and delivered to selected customers.