Daimler Truck has completed summer testing of its Mercedes GenH2 fuel cell truck in the Swiss Alps, putting the prototypes through more than 10,000 kilometres in thin mountain air and temperatures reaching 35°C. The company said the trials confirmed the reliability of the hydrogen-powered powertrain, with a small series of 100 vehicles scheduled for production from 2026.
The GenH2 testing follows winter trials earlier this year under icy conditions. Engineers in Valais examined the interaction of the truck’s fuel cell, buffer battery and hydrogen tanks, alongside its thermal management and predictive powertrain control systems.
The vehicles climbed a cumulative 146,000 metres in altitude during the tests, with the control system using geodata to manage battery charging and optimise energy use on steep terrain.
“Over several weeks, the prototypes demonstrated reliable and stable performance even under extreme heat and thin air,” Daimler Truck said in a statement. “The findings will flow directly into further development as we prepare the GenH2 Truck for real-world use.”
While the hydrogen truck continues in development, Daimler’s battery-electric eActros 600 is already operating in more than 15 countries. The company has slowed its hydrogen programme amid cost-cutting measures but maintains that fuel cells will play a role in long-haul decarbonisation.
A limited fleet of GenH2 trucks will enter customer trials in logistics operations from late 2026, with broader deployment not expected before the early 2030s.
