Daimler Truck has conducted winter testing of its next-generation GenH2 fuel cell trucks in Switzerland, evaluating their performance under extreme weather and high-altitude conditions, the German manufacturer announced.
Unlike the pre-series models currently being tested by customers, the vehicles trialed in Switzerland are prototypes of an advanced development stage. The company dispatched two hydrogen-powered trucks to the Simplon Pass in the canton of Valais, where they faced temperatures below freezing, snow-covered roads, and steep mountain terrain.
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“For the further development of our Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, we are seamlessly building on the experiences of the first prototype generation and are therefore able to test the improved technology under extreme conditions right from the outset,” said Rainer Müller-Finkeldei, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Product Engineering.
The trials focused on assessing the interaction between key components, including the fuel cell system, high-voltage battery, e-axle, hydrogen tanks, and thermal management. Special attention was given to the predictive cruise control system, which optimizes energy use by managing propulsion and recuperation when descending steep inclines.
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Over a 14-day period, the trucks, each weighing up to 40 tonnes, covered a combined 6,500 kilometers, climbing a total of 83,000 meters in altitude. The test route included 20-kilometer ascents and descents with gradients of up to 12 percent. The vehicles were refueled using a mobile hydrogen station supplied by Air Products.
Daimler Truck has secured public funding to support the development of the GenH2 series. In late 2024, Germany’s Federal Transport Ministry, along with the states of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, committed €226 million in grants to the program. The funding will contribute to small-scale production and the deployment of 100 fuel cell trucks, which are expected to enter service with customers starting in late 2026.