Daimler Trucks build First Mercedes Benz GenH2 trucks fleet for Customer trials

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Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany- Daimler Truck AG., is advancing its hydrogen-powered truck initiative, entering the next development phase with Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks. After successful testing, a customer-trial fleet, involving Amazon Logistics, Air Products ans chemical Inc., Ineos Group Limited, Holcim, and Wiedmann & Winz GmBH, will launch in mid-2024 for CO2-free long-distance transport in Germany. The five trucks will operate in various applications, refueling at designated hydrogen stations in Wörth am Rhein and Duisburg. This marks a significant step towards decarbonized transportation, emphasizing the need for an international hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

Mr. Andreas Gorbach, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck AG, responsible for Truck Technology, said that, Our fuel-cell vehicles are currently being tested in actual customer operations with our initial fleet of customers. Both our customers and our engineering team benefit from this win-win scenario, which allows them to better understand our customers' demands and pertinent use cases for series development. Our customers get to see fuel-cell technology in everyday, practical operation.

Wiedmann & Winz, based in Geislingen an der Steige, is among the first companies to trial the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck. The hydrogen-powered vehicle will transport sea containers for DP World, focusing on pan-European logistic routes. Managing Director Dr. Micha Lege sees high deployment potential, building on the company's history of innovation in logistics, including early adoption of telematics and digitalization. Wiedmann & Winz aims to test the GenH2 Truck for long-haul operations, following their use of the eActros 300 in everyday haulage.

Mr. John H. Landwehr, whose logistics company Gerdes + Landwehr is part of the Holcim Group, said that, Payload has always been crucial to the efficiency and CO2 footprint of our bulk operations. We are excited to continue investigating the route towards sustainable transportation with a hydrogen-powered vehicle, following significant testing with battery-electric trucks. We can only decide appropriately for the shift in our company group that starts in 2025 if we have our own unique experience.

Mr. Caroline Stancell, General Manager Hydrogen for Mobility, Europe and Africa, Air Products, said that, Air Products plans to transition its global fleet to hydrogen-powered vehicles and is partnering with Daimler Truck for a lighthouse project. The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck will be integrated into Air Products' fleet for transporting cylinder gases, providing valuable experience in industrial gas transport. Air Products is supplying Daimler Truck with refueling infrastructure and hydrogen, utilizing its latest mobile fueling station for liquid hydrogen in the Duisburg area under real conditions during the trials.

Mr. Wouter Bleukx, Business Director Hydrogen at INEOS Inovyn, said that, Dry Bulk PVC will be transported by INEOS and VERVAEKE using a Mercedes-Benz GenH2 truck: "We are thrilled to support these fuel-cell customer trials." A game-changing energy source that will revolutionize vehicle technology and assist us in achieving net zero emissions is hydrogen. Because it produces and uses hydrogen, INEOS is uniquely positioned to aid in this shift. We are thrilled to support Daimler Truck AG alongside our transport partner, VERVAEKE.

Mr. Frédéric Derumeaux, CEO of VERVAEKE, said that, This initiative excites me since it fits in so well with our plan to significantly cut CO2 emissions. Utilizing liquid hydrogen to power large vehicles is a game-changing and essential advancement. Being a top transportation firm, we have a significant role to play. Our special partnership with INEOS and DAIMLER TRUCK AG enables us to showcase true emission-free logistics.

Mr. Andreas Marschner, Vice President, Amazon Transportation Services, said that, Amazon is always striving to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2040. Our transportation network's decarbonization is essential to reaching this goal. As a result, all parties involved in logistics—from producers to energy providers to operators—must keep making investments, trying new things, and innovating. We are eager to take part in and benefit from this pilot project.

Daimler Truck prioritizes liquid hydrogen for its hydrogen-based drives, citing higher energy density and cost efficiency. The GenH2 Truck in customer trials utilizes "sLH2 technology," developed with Linde, allowing quick refueling. Key features include a 25-ton payload, 40-ton gross combination weight, and a 1,047 km range on one liquid hydrogen fill. Daimler Truck, committed to the Paris Climate Agreement, pursues a dual-track strategy with both hydrogen and battery-powered vehicles for a CO2-neutral future by 2039.