4 months ago - 3 mins read

Mercedes-Benz starts customer trials of its Hydrogen GenH2 trucks

July 29, 2024
By Matt Lister, Editor
Mercedes Benz GenH2 Trucks Start Customer Trials Amazon Holcim INEOS Air Products Wiedmann and Winz July 2024
The five customer trial branded Mercedes Benz GenH2 trucks

“We are starting the trials of our Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks in real-life daily transport operations with our customers,” said Martin Daum, Chairman of Daimler Truck.

Deployment and testing phase

Daimler Truck has invited five key customers to initiate real-world trials of its Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Hydrogen Trucks.

These trials involve significant industry players: Air Products, Amazon, Holcim, INEOS, and Wiedmann & Winz.

Over the next year, these companies will gain hands-on experience with fuel cell trucks, and at the same time, provide Daimler Truck with crucial test data.

Mercedes Benz GenH2 Trucks Start Customer Trials Amazon Holcim INEOS Air Products Wiedmann and Winz July 2024 Daimler Truck Driving Hydrogen 2
This GenH2 truck is going to power the transport of INEOS’ vinyls division

Gathering real-world insights

The primary aim is to collect real-world data on the performance of trucks powered by liquid hydrogen. 

This feedback will inform the refinement of the trucks for mass production, ensuring they meet specific customer needs.

Commitment to sustainability

Daimler Truck is committed to offering CO2-neutral vehicles across its core markets by 2039. 

Hydrogen-based drive technologies, especially for heavy-duty and long-distance haulage, are pivotal to this strategy. 

This initiative highlights the complementary roles of battery-electric and hydrogen-based drives in achieving sustainable transport.

Technological innovations

The GenH2 Trucks are engineered to match the payload, range, and performance of conventional Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks. 

Key features include a 25-ton payload, a gross combination weight of 40 tons, and a robust fuel-cell system. 

These trucks have a range of over 1,000 km thanks to their liquid hydrogen tanks, making them practical for long-haul applications.

Infrastructure and policy support

The success of hydrogen-powered trucks hinges on a comprehensive hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. 

There is a pressing need for policy measures to establish a widespread network of hydrogen filling stations, ensuring the economic viability of hydrogen fuel cell technology, but this is of course a ‘chicken and egg’ scenario.

Diverse customer applications

The five GenH2 Trucks will be utilised in various long-haul applications:

  • Amazon: Logistics operations in Germany.
  • Air Products: Transport of cylinder gases.
  • Wiedmann & Winz: Sea container transport.
  • Holcim: Building materials logistics.
  • VERVAEKE (INEOS): PVC and vinyl transport.

Performance specifications

The GenH2 Trucks offer substantial payload and range capabilities. The fuel-cell system delivers 300 kW, supplemented by an additional 400 kW from the battery.

Key specifications include:

  • Payload: 25 tons
  • Gross Combination Weight: 40 tons
  • Power: Fuel-cell system – 300 kW (2 x 150 kW), Battery – 400 kW, Electric motors – 2 x 230 kW continuous, 2 x 330 kW maximum
  • Torque: 2 x 1,577 Nm, 2 x 2,071 Nm
  • Hydrogen Capacity: 88 kg (44 kg per tank)
  • Range: Over 1,000 kilometres

Customer feedback

Seifi Ghasemi, Air Products: “Trialling a Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck under real conditions is a critical step in converting our distribution fleet to hydrogen-powered vehicles.”

Andreas Marschner, Amazon: “We remain steadfast in our Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Decarbonising our transport network plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.”

John H. Landwehr, Holcim Group: “We are excited to continue testing the path to sustainable transportation of the future with a hydrogen-powered truck.”

Wouter Bleukx, INEOS: “Hydrogen is a game-changing energy solution that will transform truck transportation and help us achieve a zero-emission future.”

Dr. Micha Lege, Wiedmann & Winz: “We are looking forward to testing a long-haul truck with a hydrogen fuel cell drive, in the form of the GenH2 Truck.”

Looking ahead

Daimler Truck’s GenH2 Truck trials are a crucial step towards sustainable heavy-duty transport. 

With continued development and policy support, hydrogen-powered trucks could become integral to the logistics industry, driving a cleaner, greener future.

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