Daimler puts next-gen Mercedes-Benz hydrogen trucks through their paces in the Alps
Daimler Truck has started winter testing its next-generation Mercedes-Benz GenH2 hydrogen fuel cell trucks, sending a pair of prototypes up into the Swiss Alps to see how they handle the cold, the altitude, and some very unforgiving cols.
The two trucks are running on liquid hydrogen and are part of Daimler’s push toward commercial production of fuel cell long-haulers.
Over the course of 14 days, they covered 6,500 kilometres and climbed a staggering 83,000 metres of elevation – if you’re keeping score, that’s about nine trips from sea level to the summit of Everest. No mean feat, then.
Climbing steep roads in freezing conditions is the kind of punishment these hydrogen trucks need to prove themselves – and that’s precisely why Daimler chose the Simplon Pass in the canton of Valais, Switzerland.
The Pass tops out at a maximum altitude of over 2,000 metres, with long gradients of 10 to 12%, and regular snow – so a proper workout for any drivetrain, especially one hauling up to 40 tonnes.
The tests focused on the performance of the full system, not just the hydrogen fuel cell: Daimler engineers were looking at the e-axle, battery, tank setup, thermal management, and how well the truck could handle regenerative braking on long downhill sections.
They also put the truck’s Predictive Powertrain Controls through its paces – an adaptive cruise control system that takes the topography into account to optimise power usage.
According to Dr. Rainer Müller-Finkeldei, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Product Engineering, these tests build on the lessons from earlier hydrogen prototypes and gave the team a chance to evaluate the “interplay of the fuel cell system with other enhanced components” under real-world conditions.
“The successful tests have underlined the potential and reliability of the GenH2 Trucks, even under demanding conditions” he said.
Mobile hydrogen in the mountains
Refuelling was handled by Air Products, who brought a mobile hydrogen station up to the test base in Valais – proof that infrastructure doesn’t always need to be permanent to get the job done.
Could this also be a hint at how early hydrogen logistics could look, especially for commercial fleets operating out of central hubs or remote depots?
The test trucks are using liquid hydrogen rather than compressed gas, which means longer range and better energy density.
For long-haul routes where you can’t afford to stop every couple of hours, that’s essential.
Funded by Berlin, built in Wörth
These tests are part of a larger programme backed by the German Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport, with additional support from the states of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate.
In autumn 2024, Daimler secured €226 million in public funding to develop, build, and run a fleet of 100 hydrogen trucks.
The funding comes under the EU’s IPCEI Hydrogen scheme (Important Project of Common European Interest), and covers everything from engineering and small-series production to feasibility studies and factory investment.
Final assembly will take place at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth, with the first trucks expected to enter customer hands by the end of 2026.
Building momentum
Daimler’s long-haul hydrogen plans are clearly picking up pace. After years of lab testing and cautious prototyping, we’re now seeing full-size trucks climbing mountains, pulling weight, and proving the concept in the real world.
There’s still a lot to do – especially on the infrastructure side – but the hardware is coming together nicely.
Daimler isn’t alone in the race, but it’s making the kind of progress that matters. And if your hydrogen truck can handle steep Alpine gradients in the snow for two weeks straight, it’s probably ready for the autobahn.
