Hydrogen Trucks: Volvo & Daimler’s 400kg, 500hp+ fuel-cell wows crowds at IAA Transportation
cellcentric, the powerhouse joint-venture collaboration between Volvo Group and Daimler Truck, have just premiered a major innovation at the IAA Transportation event in Hannover – their NextGen hydrogen fuel-cell system which wields a whole host of impressive metrics.
With a weight of under 400 kg, the NextGen system packs over 500 of the finest German horses (that’s 375 kW in modern-speak) of continuous power into a sleek design that slots right into a standard 13-litre diesel engine compartment.
Hydrogen fuel-cells for trucks
Perfect for crowbarring into existing truck platforms, or for fleets to retrofit their old diesel trucks giving them a second life.
The NextGen fuel-cell is really quite impressive – the boffins claim it has 20% less fuel consumption, produces 40% less waste heat, and has 40% more power density compared to the BZA150 model.
For a sector that’s a lot harder to decarbonise and live without dirty diesel, these figures are nothing short of revolutionary.
The virtual model on display is a sneak peek at what’s to come. cellcentric is moving fast, with large-scale production already on the horizon.
By the end of the decade, these systems are expected to be rolling out en masse, driving CO2-neutral mobility into the heart of the heavy-duty transport sector.
cellcentric factory
June 2024 marked a turning point for cellcentric when pilot production kicked off at their cutting-edge Esslingen facility. It’s a sign of things to come, with full-scale production set to ramp up at the massive KLIMA|WERK factory in Weilheim before the decade’s end.
This factory will be Europe’s largest, dedicated to manufacturing hydrogen fuel cells, reinforcing cellcentric’s role as a pioneer in the hydrogen revolution.
More than that, cellcentric are focusing on the full lifecycle of their fuel cell systems. From reusing systems in lower-demand applications, to remanufacturing and recycling, they’re building a circular economy that’s as good for the planet as it is for business.
With some 700 patents, and industry giants like Daimler and Volvo as backers, Cellcentric is leading the hydrogen charge but also pushing for more affordable, practical solutions that lower the total cost of ownership (TCO) – a critical factor in keeping the trucking industry competitive in a zero-emissions future.
