Daimler Truck unveils Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Truck

Daimler Truck to build 100 advanced H2-powered semi-trailer tractors

After years of development and testing with first-generation prototypes, Daimler Truck has introduced the Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Truck as the next evolutionary step in its fuel-cell-powered heavy goods vehicle range.

The refined model incorporates proven components such as the fuel cell from the joint venture Cellcentric and the liquid hydrogen technology already used in the first-generation truck.

However, the NextGenH2 Truck now also benefits from series-production parts of its battery-electric counterpart, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, including the integrated e-axle, the aerodynamically optimised cab (‘ProCabin’), the Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2, and several driver assistance systems.

As part of its recently announced small-series production plan, the manufacturer intends to build a total of 100 semi-trailer tractors in the coming months.

Daimler Truck continues to rely on liquid hydrogen (sLH2) as an energy carrier, as it offers a significantly higher energy density at -253 degrees Celsius compared to gaseous hydrogen, ‘allowing more hydrogen to be stored, substantially increasing range and delivering performance comparable to conventional diesel trucks.’

However, the drawback is that testing the NextGenH2 Trucks is far more dependent on infrastructure than battery-electric vehicles. Currently, these vehicles can only be refuelled at specialised sLH2 filling stations, which are available at only a few locations in Germany, such as Wörth am Rhein and the Duisburg area.

According to the manufacturer, refuelling the truck at such sLH2 stations takes between 10 and 15 minutes. Moreover, the use of liquid hydrogen ensures that the fuel-cell truck achieves a range of over 1,000 kilometres, as Daimler Truck demonstrated in September 2023: a road-approved prototype covered 1,047 kilometres on a single tank.

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