This text was translated from an original article by Teun Schröder on the CHANGE INC website on January 2, 2024: https://www.change.inc/mobiliteit/waterstoftrucks-van-mercedes-op-de-weg-in-duitsland-na-succesvolle-testperiode-40685#
Daimler Truck, the company behind Mercedes-Benz, among others, is starting an extensive test on public roads with hydrogen-powered trucks in Germany. Five tractors with trailers equipped with tanks filled with liquid hydrogen will soon drive long distances between the various companies in the collaboration project.
Truck enthusiasts will soon be able to spot hydrogen trucks on the road in the Duisburg region. Recently, the new hydrogen truck, the Mercedes Benz GenH2 Truck, was extensively tested on the German test track. Part of these tests included test drives with heavily loaded semi-trailers at great heights over one of the most important traffic arteries in Europe, the Brenner Pass. Now that the GenH2 has successfully completed these rides, it is time for the real work.
Five hydrogen trucks
In the near future, five hydrogen trucks will be added to the fleet of Amazon, Air Products, Ineos, Holcim and Wiedmann & Winz. The trucks will be used on various long-distance routes and will transport construction materials and sea containers, among other things. Mercedes-Benz Trucks will manage the trucks and will collect data during this phase that will help them in the further development of hydrogen trucks.
Refuel in 15 minutes
The trucks refuel at gas stations in Worth am Rheim in the Duisburg region. The trucks run on liquid hydrogen. In this form, hydrogen has a higher energy density than in gaseous form, which Mercedes says helps reduce transportation costs. According to the company, refueling a truck can take about 10 to 15 minutes.
Liquid hydrogen
The GenH2 Truck has two large tanks that can hold liquid hydrogen, together weighing 88 kilograms. With the filled tanks, a heavily loaded truck of about 40 tons can cover a distance of 1,000 kilometers.
Peak load battery
The fuel cell system produces 300 kilowatts and the battery can add 400 kilowatts. The battery’s storage capacity of 70 kilowatt hours is relatively low, but it is actually only used at times of peak load. For example, when accelerating or when a heavily loaded truck drives up a steep mountain.
Electric and hydrogen
Daimler Truck is strongly committed to both battery-electric and hydrogen trucks. For example, Mercedes is building the eActros 600 electric truck with a range of 600 kilometers. According to the company, there are enough charging points for trucks that drive these short and medium distances.
Mercedes sees more opportunities for hydrogen trucks for heavy transport over longer distances. It is also important for more hydrogen filling stations to be added quickly, so that more and more transport routes become possible.
*The featured image is courtesy of UnSplash and Taken by Allison Saeng.
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