Daimler Trucks is deploying its first trial fleet of hydrogen fuel cell-powered heavy-duty trucks this year, on track to meet zero emissions rules in Europe and North America in the next decade.
Amazon, Air Products, INEOS, Holcim and Wiedmann & Winz will participate in initial customer trials of fuel cell trucks. The five tractor trailers will be deployed in various long-distance applications on specific routes in Germany.
The vehicles will be refueled at dedicated public liquid hydrogen (sLH2) filling stations in Wörth am Rhein and in the Duisburg area.
Daimler Truck prefers liquid hydrogen in the development of hydrogen-based engines. In this aggregate state, the energy carrier not only has a much higher energy density, but transportation costs can also be significantly reduced, company officials say. As a result, more hydrogen can be carried, which significantly increases range and enables vehicle performance comparable to that of a conventional diesel truck, the company says. Liquid hydrogen tanks also offer advantages in terms of cost and weight. Therefore, the use of liquid hydrogen allows a higher payload.
“With this first customer fleet, our fuel cell trucks are now being tested in real customer operation,” says Andreas Gorbach, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck responsible for truck technology. “Our customers are learning about fuel cell technology in real-life daily operations and our engineering team is able to better understand customer needs and related use cases, taking them into account when developing the series.”
Both the United States and the European Union are trying to phase out diesel fuel in heavy trucks and work vehicles by 2040.
Daimler’s move is seen as crucial to promoting the idea that batteries and fuel cells can be replaced by diesel. The company says it has 43.5% share of the North American market in the first three months of 2023. The company’s 2022 earnings indicate a North American market share of 39.3% for the calendar year for Classes 6 through 8 and a 40% share of the Class 8 market alone.
General Manager Mischa Legge sees high diffusion potential for the innovative truck, especially on pan-European logistics routes: “Our company has always been at the forefront when it comes to innovation.”“.
John H. Landwehr, whose logistics company Gerdes + Landwehr is part of the Holcim Group, intends to transport granules and minerals for the construction materials industry using a Mercedes-Benz GenH2 truck. He adds: “Payload has always played an important role in our bulk logistics when it comes to its CO2 footprint and efficiency. After extensive testing with battery-electric trucks, we are pleased to continue exploring the path towards sustainable transport with a hydrogen-powered truck. Only with our own experience can we take The right decisions for change starting in 2025 in our business group.
