Mercedes Benz hydrogen truck “very close to diesel”, says German logistics operator after 30,000km
After seven months and nearly 30,000 kilometres of real-world use, German logistics firm Wiedmann & Winz has given an early verdict on Daimler Truck’s hydrogen-powered Mercedes-Benz GenH2 – and it’s a strong one.
“The GenH2 comes very close to the classic diesel truck – which makes it particularly valuable in practice”, said managing director Dr Micha Lege, speaking at the Handelsblatt Commercial Vehicle Conference in Munich.
Wiedmann & Winz is one of five operators selected for Daimler’s customer trial programme, with each company running a pre-series GenH2 in daily operations.
The truck has been in regular long-haul container transport use across Germany since late 2024.
Diesel-like range, refuelling, and payload
The GenH2 is powered by liquid hydrogen, stored at -253°C in twin cryogenic tanks. It delivers:
- Over 1,000km of range
- 15 minute refuelling
- 25 tonne payload at a gross combination weight (GCW) of 40 tonnes
The truck uses a 300kW fuel cell system from Daimler and Volvo joint venture, cellcentric, supported by twin electric motors and a compact battery.
Engineered to match the performance of Daimler’s diesel Mercedes-Benz Actros in range, payload, and uptime, the truck is fitted with hefty hydrogen tanks that can store 88kg of fuel on board.
That, according to Lege, is what makes it really practical.
Hydrogen where it makes sense
Wiedmann & Winz also operates a battery-electric eActros 300, and Lege made clear that both technologies have a place in the fleet.
But for longer routes, heavier loads, and tighter turnaround times, hydrogen is offering fewer compromises.
“We take a critical view of a one-sided battery-only strategy”, he said.
“The expansion of the charging infrastructure is progressing slowly – and that is a real problem when millions of trucks are to be electrically driven throughout Europe.”
He also pointed to battery supply chains as another area of concern: “Dependence on China for batteries or individual components also speaks in favour of promoting hydrogen technology.”
Stored energy, reliable operation
One of hydrogen’s core advantages is often overlooked: its independence from the grid. Lege highlighted that in his remarks: “Hydrogen is ready for use even in dark doldrums.”
With fuel that can be stored and distributed independently of real-time electricity generation, hydrogen vehicles offer a level of energy security that’s increasingly important as electrification scales up.
Part of a broader trial
Alongside Wiedmann & Winz, the GenH2 is also being trialled by Amazon, Holcim, INEOS/VERVAEKE, and Air Products – each using the truck in real logistics work.
Refuelling is currently handled at a Daimler-backed liquid H2 station in Wörth, with another due to open in Duisburg.
Daimler is still gathering data across the full trial programme, but for Wiedmann & Winz, the conclusion is already clear: the GenH2 performs.
It covers the distance, carries the load, refuels quickly, and integrates into a working fleet. And for now, that puts it exactly where it needs to be.
In Lege’s words: “very close to diesel.”
