New Drives - Daimler Truck tests hydrogen trucks in real operation
Daimler Truck is testing its hydrogen-powered trucks in real-life transport operations at companies in the coming months. After tests on the track and public roads, the trucks now have advanced development maturity, allowing them to be used for testing in daily logistics operations, as the company announced in the Southwestern German town of Wörth, where Daimler Truck's development and testing center is located.
During the testing phase, which is expected to last about a year, customers will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in transport with hydrogen fuel cell trucks. At the same time, the development team will gain insights into real-world operation and customer requirements. These insights could be used for series development by the end of this decade, according to the company.
Trucks will also transport shipping containers
Participating in the test are the US trading conglomerate Amazon, the chemical company Ineos, the industrial gas supplier Air Products, the building materials producer Holcim, and the logistics company Wiedmann & Winz. Each receives a prototype hydrogen-powered truck. With these trucks, various long-haul routes will transport building materials, shipping containers, and compressed gases.
The performance capability of the truck with the hydrogen fuel cell system is comparable to conventional diesel tractor-trailers for long-haul transport, according to Daimler Truck. It has two hydrogen tanks and a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers.
Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum sees the testing as an important step towards series production. However, he warned, "Performance-capable CO2-neutral vehicles alone will not be enough to make sustainable transport a success." For this, he also called for a corresponding tank and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles throughout Europe. He therefore urged more engagement from politics and energy companies.
Goal: Only zero-emission vehicles in key markets by 2039
In the transition from combustion engines to new drives, Daimler Truck, like other manufacturers, is also focusing on battery-electric vehicles. The eActros 600 truck is expected to go into series production at the end of the year. The truck covers approximately 500 kilometers without recharging. In April, Daimler Truck reported a success in fast charging. The company is also engaged in the expansion of charging stations.
The goal of the company based in Leinfelden-Echterdingen near Stuttgart is to offer only new vehicles in the key markets of Europe, the USA, and Japan that do not emit climate-damaging carbon dioxide (CO2) during operation by 2039. The manufacturer counts itself among the leading global industry players and employs more than 100,000 people.
- The testing of hydrogen-powered trucks by Daimler Truck will take place in Wörth am Rhein, a town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, where their development and testing center is located.
- In addition to Daimler Truck, companies like Amazon, Ineos, Air Products, Holcim, and Wiedmann & Winz will participate in the testing, using prototype hydrogen-fueled trucks for transporting various goods such as building materials, shipping containers, and compressed gases.
- The hydrogen-fueled trucks from Daimler Truck have a performance capability similar to conventional diesel tractor-trailers, capable of long-haul transport with two hydrogen tanks and a range of around 1,000 kilometers.
- Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Truck, views the testing as an essential step toward series production, but emphasizes that performance-capable CO2-neutral vehicles alone will not create sustainable transport success; he echoes the need for comprehensive tank and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles across Europe.
- Daimler Truck, like other manufacturers, focuses on battery-electric vehicles at the same time, with the eActros 600 truck set for series production later this year, capable of covering 500 kilometers without recharging.
- In April, Daimler Truck reported success in fast charging, and it is actively involved in the expansion of charging stations, with the goal of offering zero-emission vehicles in key markets like Europe, the USA, and Japan by 2039.
- Based in Leinfelden-Echterdingen near Stuttgart, Daimler Truck, one of the leading global industry players, employs over 100,000 people and continues to innovate and invest in hydrogen and battery-electric vehicles for sustainable transportation.
