Daimler Truck is on a mission to decarbonize transportation through hydrogen with good progress to report on its Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) trucks. Following extensive testing on both test tracks and public roads, the fuel-cell trucks have achieved an advanced development stage suitable for deployment in customer fleets. Because they have now passed this milestone, Daimler Truck is currently assembling the initial customer trial fleet of Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks.
Amazon, Air Products, Ineos, Holcim, and Wiedmann & Winz are set to participate in the initial customer trials, seeking to acquire initial experience in carbon-free long-distance transport utilizing fuel-cell trucks. Daimler anticipates the start of these trials in mid-2024.
The fleet of five semi-trailer tractors is set to be deployed across Germany for various long-haul applications and specific routes, including the transportation of building materials, sea containers, and cylinder gases.
Throughout the initial customer trials, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will maintain direct supervision and responsibility for the GenH2 Trucks. Refueling will take place at designated public liquid hydrogen filling stations (sLH2) in Wörth am Rhein and the Duisburg area.
Daimler, along with its partner companies, aims to show that decarbonized transport using hydrogen-powered trucks is already achievable today so long as two conditions are met. FCEVs are not miracle machines, after all, they have to top up at some point. Daimler says that for fuel cell vehicles to thrive and be accepted by the masses, it is imperative in the coming years to establish an international refueling infrastructure and ensure an ample supply of green liquid hydrogen.
Looking into more detail on the GenH2, this FCEV truck is built on the characteristics of the Mercedes-Benz Actros and offers a payload of 25,000 kg at a GCW of 40,000 kg in customer trials. Featuring two high-capacity stainless-steel liquid hydrogen tanks, a potent cellcentric fuel-cell system, and a 70 kWh battery, the GenH2 Truck provides high payload and long range. The tanks, connected tubes with vacuum insulation, contribute to covering extended distances. The fuel-cell system delivers 300 kW with an additional 400 kW from the battery for situational power support. The lightweight battery aids higher payload, recharged through braking and excess fuel-cell energy. The cooling and heating system ensures component durability, and in a pre-series version, the two electric motors offer 2 x 230 kW continuous power and 2 x 330 kW maximum power according to Daimler.
FCEVs are a long way away from coming to countries like the Philippines, but, Daimler is not alone in this mission to develop FCEV technology for trucks. Isuzu and Honda are collaborating to put out the Giga Fuel Cell while Toyota and Hino are currently developing their fuel cell systems. Over in China, a startup named Hybot has released its FCEV truck utilizing gaseous hydrogen as its fuel source. Now that companies are shifting their attention to sustainable fuel options for transportation, we can expect these vehicles to trickle slowly into other markets like the Philippines sometime in the future.
