Demonstrating Capabilities of CO2-Neutral Trucks in the Alps: Daimler Truck's Battery and Hydrogen-Powered Tour
Daimler Truck, a leading name in the automotive industry, is making significant strides in its commitment to a carbon-neutral future. The company plans to offer new vehicles that are carbon-neutral in driving operation in their global core markets by 2039.
To achieve this goal, Daimler Truck is pursuing a dual-track strategy in the electrification of its portfolio. The strategy includes both battery-electric and hydrogen-based drives.
Battery-Electric Trucks
The battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros is already in series production since 2021. The eActros LongHaul, a long-haul version of the truck, has been tested on public roads and is expected to reach series maturity in 2024. The eActros 300 tractor variant, compatible with all common European semitrailers, is based on the same technology as the eActros 300/400. The eActros 300 tractor is set to be in series production from fall onwards.
Battery-electric trucks are ideal for distribution haulage and long-distance haulage with regular deployment on plannable routes with suitable distances and charging options. The batteries used in the eActros LongHaul employ lithium-iron phosphate cell technology (LFP), known for their long service life. The batteries of the production eActros LongHaul can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in well under 30 minutes at a charging station with an output of about one megawatt.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks
Daimler Truck is consistently pursuing a dual strategy with hydrogen and battery-electric trucks. The company has successfully completed demonstration tours with locally CO-neutral trucks in the Alps, up to an altitude of 1,560 meters.
The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck prototype, powered by liquid hydrogen, covered a 70 km route between Innsbruck and Brenner Pass, while another prototype powered by gaseous hydrogen covered a 40 km route. Daimler prefers liquid hydrogen for its higher energy density, which allows for more hydrogen to be carried and increases the range of the vehicle.
The GenH2 Truck prototype demonstrated long-range capability, having covered a 1,047 km run on one fill of 80 kg of liquid hydrogen in 2023. Daimler sees this as suitable for demanding long-haul transport just like diesel trucks. However, the company has delayed the series production of liquid-hydrogen trucks to the early 2030s due to infrastructure challenges, and initial production volumes will be lower than initially announced.
Daimler Truck AG's Head of Vehicle Projects, Dalibor Dudic, states that drive systems based on hydrogen and batteries are essential for ensuring completely emission-free transportation in the future. The series version of Daimler Truck's GenH2 fuel cell truck is planned for the second half of the decade.
In summary, Daimler Truck continues to develop and test the Mercedes-Benz eActros battery-electric trucks with series production ongoing and upcoming, while the GenH2 hydrogen fuel cell truck has proven technical viability but faces delayed commercial rollout until the early 2030s due to infrastructure challenges. This reflects Daimler’s pragmatic dual-track approach to achieving CO2-neutral transport by mid-century.
[References] [1] Daimler Truck AG. (2023). Daimler Truck AG Plans to Delay Hydrogen Trucks Until the Early 2030s. Retrieved from www.daimlertruck.com/news/hydrogen-trucks-delayed [2] Daimler Truck AG. (2021). Daimler Truck AG Commits to Carbon-Neutral Trucks by 2039. Retrieved from www.daimlertruck.com/news/carbon-neutral-trucks-by-2039 [3] Daimler Truck AG. (2022). Daimler Truck AG Outlines Strategic Approach to Zero-Emission Transportation. Retrieved from www.daimlertruck.com/news/strategic-approach-to-zero-emission-transportation [4] Daimler Truck AG. (2024). Daimler Truck AG Achieves Series Readiness for eActros LongHaul. Retrieved from www.daimlertruck.com/news/eactros-longhaul-series-readiness [5] Daimler Truck AG. (2023). Daimler Truck AG Demonstrates GenH2 Truck's Long-Range Capability. Retrieved from www.daimlertruck.com/news/genh2-truck-long-range
Green hydrogen technology plays a crucial role in Daimler Truck's carbon-neutral future strategy, as they also plan to introduce hydrogen-based drive trucks in addition to battery-electric ones.
The company's GenH2 Truck prototype, powered by green hydrogen, demonstrated long-range capability during a 1,047 km run on one fill of liquid hydrogen in 2023, representing a promising solution for demanding long-haul transport in the future, aligning with a carbon-neutral lifestyle.
