The trials took place in the canton of Valais, where vehicles were tested on mountain passes ranging from 600 to 2,478 metres in elevation and in temperatures exceeding 35°C. According to Daimler Truck, the conditions were intended to test the vehicles’ cooling performance and thermal management at high loads and in thin mountain air.
Over several weeks, four prototypes covered more than 10,000 kilometres and climbed a total of 146,000 metres in elevation.
Testing focused on driving behaviour, dynamics, electric drivetrain performance, and the interaction between the fuel cell, battery, and tank system during peak loads. The company also trialled further development of its Predictive Powertrain Control system for fuel cell trucks, which uses geobased route data to adjust power delivery ahead of inclines.
The lorris were refuelled with liquid hydrogen supplied by a mobile Air Products station using the sLH2 standard.
Following the trials, Daimler Truck confirmed that it plans to build a small series of 100 GenH2 semitrailer tractors at its Wörth plant in Germany. These will enter real-world operation at customer sites from the end of 2026. Large-scale industrialisation and series production of hydrogen-powered trucks in Europe are planned for the early 2030s.
More on fuel cell lorries:
- Daimler trial: hydrogen lorries match diesel but costs hold them back
- Daimler begins hydrogen truck trials in Europe
- Toyota unveils third-generation fuel cell system, expanding use in heavy-duty vehicles
- Hyroad acquires Nikola’s 113 hydrogen trucks but fuelling stations left out of deal
- Hylane expands zero-emission truck rentals to Netherlands
