Daimler Truck said it will begin small-scale series production of its hydrogen fuel cell truck, unveiling the next generation of its H2-powered tractor unit as it continues to balance battery-electric and hydrogen technologies in Europe.
The company said 100 units of the new Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Truck will be built at its Wörth plant and delivered to customers starting at the end of the year. The vehicle represents the latest evolution of Daimler Truck’s fuel-cell heavy goods vehicle programme following several years of prototype testing.
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The NextGenH2 Truck combines components already used in the first-generation hydrogen prototype — including the fuel cell system from Cellcentric, Daimler Truck’s joint venture with the Volvo Group — with series-production parts from its battery-electric counterpart, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600. These include the integrated e-axle, the aerodynamically optimised ProCabin, updated electronic architecture and driver assistance systems.
Daimler Truck said full-scale series production of the hydrogen truck is now expected in the early 2030s, later than the original 2027 target. The shift follows a cost-cutting programme announced in 2025 and a reassessment of market readiness. The company has cited slow progress in hydrogen refuelling infrastructure as a key constraint, noting that customers are unlikely to deploy hydrogen trucks in large numbers in the near term.
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“Expansion of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is progressing significantly slower than expected,” the company has said, adding that it will initially focus hydrogen powertrain development on Europe, while maintaining a dual strategy of battery-electric and hydrogen vehicles in that market.
The NextGenH2 Truck uses two liquid hydrogen tanks with a combined capacity of 85 kilograms and a twin fuel cell system delivering 300 kW of output. Daimler Truck continues to rely on liquid hydrogen due to its higher energy density, enabling a range of more than 1,000 kilometres, although refuelling remains limited to a small number of specialised stations in Germany.
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Achim Puchert said hydrogen remains an important pillar of the company’s long-term strategy. “In addition to battery-electric solutions, hydrogen-based drives are crucial for the sustainable transformation of our industry,” Puchert said. “With the NextGenH2 Truck, we are taking the next technological step in fuel cell trucks.”
Customer trials of earlier prototype generations began in 2024 with partners including Air Products, Amazon and DHL Supply Chain, covering about 225,000 kilometres, Daimler Truck said. The development and deployment of the NextGenH2 Truck are being supported by public funding of around 226 million euros from the German federal government and the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg.
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