Daimler Truck has entered the second phase of its hydrogen truck customer trials, deploying five additional Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks with major logistics operators across Germany. While the manufacturer continues to progress towards series production, it also warns that the rollout of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is advancing far more slowly than required, pushing large-scale deployment of hydrogen trucks into the early 2030s.
The new trial partners are Hornbach, Reber Logistik, Teva Germany (with its brand ratiopharm), Rhenus, and DHL Supply Chain. Each company will operate a GenH2 Truck on regular transport routes for around one year, covering a range of applications including temperature-controlled pharmaceutical logistics, recycling transport, and long-haul general cargo.
According to Daimler Truck, data from these operations will inform final vehicle development as well as preparations for sales and service processes.
Second phase follows more than 225,000 km of real-world testing
The first trial phase, completed earlier this year, saw five fuel-cell trucks cover more than 225,000 km. Hydrogen consumption averaged between 5.6 and 8.0 kg per 100 km depending on the transport task and combined vehicle weight. Daimler Truck says these figures demonstrate performance comparable to diesel long-haul trucks, particularly when operating with liquid hydrogen.
The GenH2 Truck uses a fuel-cell system delivering up to 300 kW continuous output, supported by a small buffer battery for peak loads and energy recuperation. With a gross vehicle weight of around 40 tonnes and a payload of approximately 25 tonnes, the truck is designed for long-distance use.
Liquid hydrogen essential to operational viability
Daimler Truck continues to focus on liquid hydrogen (sLH₂), citing higher energy density and reduced transport requirements compared with gaseous hydrogen. The trucks in the second trial phase will refuel exclusively at dedicated sLH₂ stations located in Wörth am Rhein and the Duisburg area.
Operators including DHL Supply Chain and Reber Logistik will adapt transport plans to align with the limited refuelling network. This constraint underscores the wider challenge companies face when attempting to integrate hydrogen trucks into regular logistics operations.
Trial partners emphasise zero-emission applications
DHL Supply Chain will combine the fuel-cell truck with a fully electric refrigerated trailer on routes across Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Teva Germany plans to use the vehicle for national pharmaceutical deliveries, while Hornbach will deploy it within its recyclable materials fleet. Rhenus will test the truck at its Duisburg site, a central hub for its national and international logistics network.
Small-series production planned but scaling delayed
Alongside the expanded trials, Daimler Truck is already developing the next generation of fuel-cell vehicles. A small-series production run of around 100 tractor units is scheduled to begin at the company’s Wörth plant at the end of 2026.
However, the company now expects large-scale industrialisation of hydrogen trucks in Europe only in the early 2030s. This is significantly later than previously signalled, and Daimler Truck attributes the delay to the slow pace of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure development across the region.
While Daimler Truck continues to pursue a dual-track strategy with battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks, it says customers will not be able to operate hydrogen vehicles in meaningful volumes until refuelling networks expand.
