Five Mercedes-Benz GenH2 in Logistics Operations

After intensive testing of the fuel cell model on the test track and on public roads, five Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks will now commence daily logistical operations. Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum, in the presence of VDA Chairwoman Hildegard Müller, initiated the start of customer-oriented trials at the company’s own development and testing center in Wörth am Rhein, together with the companies Air Products, Amazon, Holcim, Ineos, and Wiedmann & Winz.

This gives customers the early opportunity to gain practical experience in transport with fuel cell trucks during an approximately one-year trial phase. On the other hand, the Daimler Truck development team gains insights from the use of liquid hydrogen-powered trucks under real conditions, receives feedback on customer needs, and can take these into account for series development by the end of this decade.

Deployment in Long-Distance Transport

The five GenH2 Trucks will be deployed in Germany on specific routes and in various long-distance transport applications. During the customer-oriented testing phase, the vehicles will remain under the direct supervision and responsibility of the manufacturer. The vehicles will be refueled at designated liquid hydrogen stations (sLH2) in Wörth am Rhein (Rhineland-Palatinate) and in the Duisburg area (North Rhine-Westphalia).

VDA President Hildegard Müller demanded: "A needs-based network of hydrogen fueling stations and the associated infrastructure must be urgently established. There is an urgent need for action from politics, the Federal Network Agency, and the energy sector."

Amazon will use the GenH2 Truck in its logistics network in Germany, Air Products for cylinder gas transport, Wiedmann & Winz for sea containers, Holcim for building materials logistics, and Vervaeke, the logistics company of Ineos, for PVC and vinyl transport.

The Performance of the GenH2 Truck

The developers from Daimler Truck have based the GenH2 Truck on the characteristics of the conventional Mercedes-Benz Actros long-distance truck in terms of traction, range, and performance. The deployed vehicles offer a total towing weight of 40 tons with a payload of approximately 25 tons. The relatively high payload and range are achieved through two special liquid hydrogen tanks and a fuel cell system from cellcentric, the joint venture between Daimler Truck and the Volvo Group. They form the core of the GenH2 Truck.

The fuel cell system of the GenH2 Truck delivers 300 kW (2 x 150 kW) of power, with an integrated battery providing an additional 400 kW for a limited time. The battery's storage capacity of 70 kWh is comparatively low, as the battery is not designed for energy demand but mainly for situational performance support of the fuel cell. This occurs, for example, during peak loads while accelerating or when climbing fully loaded slopes. At the same time, the comparatively light battery allows for more payload and is recharged through braking and excess fuel cell energy.

A core element of the sophisticated operational strategy of the fuel cell and battery system is a cooling and heating system that keeps all components at the appropriate operating temperature. This ensures the highest possible longevity. The two electric motors in a pre-series version are designed for a total of 2 x 230 kW continuous and 2 x 330 kW maximum power. The torque is 2 x 1,577 Nm or 2 x 2,071 Nm.