Achim Puchert, CEO Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said, “In addition to battery-electric solutions, hydrogen-based drives are crucial for the sustainable transformation of our industry. With the NextGenH2 Truck, we are taking the next technological step in fuel cell trucks. Together with our customers, we aim to introduce the small series with high range and near production-ready technology into daily transport operations from the end of 2026.”
The engineering team retained the proven strengths of the first-generation Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck in the development of the new model. Liquid hydrogen enables ranges well over 1,000 kilometers on a single tank filling at full load. The proven cellcentric BZA150 fuel cell converts hydrogen into electrical energy on board.
Key upgrades include proven series components from the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, such as the latest generation of the integrated e-axle, the aerodynamically optimized ProCabin, the modern Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2, and cutting-edge safety and assistance systems based on the current E/E architecture. Like its predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Truck is particularly suited for highly flexible and demanding long-haul applications.
Liquid Hydrogen Enables Ranges Well Over 1,000 Kilometers
In the development of hydrogen-based drives, Daimler Truck prefers the use of liquid hydrogen. At -253 degrees Celsius, liquid hydrogen has a significantly higher energy density compared to gaseous hydrogen, allowing more hydrogen to be stored, substantially increasing range and delivering performance comparable to conventional diesel trucks.
The capacity of the two liquid hydrogen tanks has been increased compared to the first generation of the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, so that a total of up to 85 kg of hydrogen can now be filled. Refueling is possible from both sides as both tanks are connected. Using the sLH2 refueling standard developed by Daimler Truck and Linde, the truck can be filled with liquid hydrogen within 10–15 minutes — as safe, fast, and simple as refueling today’s diesel trucks.
Transporting liquid hydrogen requires less logistical effort, and liquid hydrogen tanks offer cost and weight advantages over gaseous high-pressure tanks. These benefits enable higher payloads, making deployments comparable with today’s diesel trucks. Daimler Truck successfully demonstrated this at the end of 2023 during the #HydrogenRecordRun, when a Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck with a gross combined vehicle weight of around 40 tonnes covered 1,047 km on a single filling of liquid hydrogen.
Reliable and Efficient Fuel Cell Technology
The BZA150 fuel cell from cellcentric — a joint venture between Daimler Truck and Volvo Group — remains the heart of the NextGenH2 Truck’s drive system. Two fuel cell units operate as a twin system with a total system output of 300 kW (150 kW each) and are space-savingly integrated in the engine compartment beneath the cab.
In operation, the fuel cell generates electrical energy through the reaction between hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂). Together with a buffer battery, this powers the electric motors integrated into the e-axle, delivering strong propulsion. The only emission from this process is pure water vapor.
Innovative Solutions Enhance Customer Usability
Customer trials of the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck provided valuable feedback for Daimler Truck’s development team, directly influencing improvements in the NextGenH2 Truck and further increasing customer benefit.
Thanks to an innovative and space-saving arrangement of components in the Tech Tower behind the cab, this area is now significantly more compact. As a result, the wheelbase has been shortened by 150 mm compared to the previous model to 4,000 mm. This increases customer flexibility by enabling compatibility with various trailer combinations and a wide range of standard trailers within EU length regulations.
The Tech Tower also houses a new boil-off management system that meets all regulatory requirements for handling hydrogen, including parking the vehicle in enclosed spaces. An integrated cooling system ensures consistently stable operating conditions even at very high ambient temperatures or demanding terrain.
A new sensor system, which responds to the highly unlikely event of hydrogen leakage, now allows overnight stays in the truck’s two standard beds fitted in the cab. This increases comfort and flexible usability of the truck, especially for long-haul drivers on multi-day assignments.
Additionally, a newly designed side panel with integrated crash elements provides improved protection of the liquid hydrogen tanks in the event of an accident. The aerodynamically improved panel features practical tread plates, improving both safety and accessibility while reducing aerodynamic drag.
Testing and Funding of the NextGenH2 Truck
Last year, Daimler Truck tested prototypes of the Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Truck under extreme conditions in the Swiss Alps — both during winter and summer trials — ensuring reliability under demanding operational scenarios. Insights gained from these tests are being incorporated directly into further development.
The development, production, and practical deployment of the NextGenH2 Trucks scheduled from the end of 2026 is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) and the federal states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg with in total €226 million. Series production of fuel cell trucks is targeted for the early 2030s.
