The BMDV, in collaboration with Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, has announced a €226 million (approximately ₹1,986 crore) funding package to support the development, small-scale production, and deployment of 100 hydrogen fuel cell trucks. The program was subjected to rigorous evaluation, including a study by the European Commission, which highlighted its importance in promoting hydrogen-powered freight transportation.
Karin Radstrom, CEO of Daimler Truck, emphasised the importance of this milestone, stating: “The approval of funding for the development and small series production of 100 fuel cell trucks is an important boost for the use of hydrogen in road freight transportation. This funding is therefore a strong signal not only for Daimler Truck but for the entire commercial vehicle industry.”
Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport, highlighted the progress toward sustainable logistics, adding: “Sustainable transportation with hydrogen-powered trucks is already possible today. Daimler Truck is the first European manufacturer to produce a series-production truck that uses liquid hydrogen, providing an important impulse for the commercial adoption of hydrogen technology in road freight transportation.”
The project, initiated under the European Union's Important Initiative of Common European Interest (IPCEI) Hydrogen programme, includes vehicle and production activities. These include feasibility studies for the hydrogen value chain, investments in manufacturing facilities, and series production planning.
Key components will be assembled in several German sites, including Kassel (electric drive axles) and Mannheim ('Tech Tower'). Fuel cells will be produced at Cellcentric's pilot plant in Esslingen before being integrated into a twin system at Gaggenau. The final assembly of next-generation fuel cell trucks will take place at the Mercedes-Benz facility in Wörth, with customer operations starting by the end of 2026.
The European Commission's assessment highlighted the venture's distinct nature, particularly its emphasis on liquid hydrogen, which has a substantially higher energy density than gaseous hydrogen. This enables more hydrogen storage, improving range, and increasing cargo capacity. Furthermore, liquid hydrogen tanks are lighter and more cost-effective, making them ideal for demanding long-haul operations.
During its #HydrogenRecordRun in September 2023, Daimler Truck's Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck travelled 1,047 kilometres on a single tank of liquid hydrogen, demonstrating the technology's potential. This demonstrated performance is a significant step towards commercialising hydrogen-powered trucks.
Daimler Truck, one of the world's largest commercial vehicle manufacturers, is committed to achieving carbon-neutral vehicle operations in its core markets by 2039, in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement. While battery-electric trucks are best for predictable routes and short distances, hydrogen fuel cell trucks are better suited for flexible, heavy-duty, and long-distance operations.
The company believes that a combination of battery-electric and hydrogen-powered technologies, as well as suitable infrastructure and green electricity, are required for a long-term change in the goods transportation industry.
This significant funding program demonstrates Germany's commitment to encouraging hydrogen technology innovation and driving road freight decarbonisation.
