German authorities have granted road-use approval for Daimler Truck’s enhanced prototype of the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle. The approval allows for testing on the B462 road near Rastatt, following several thousand miles of closed-track testing that began in April 2021.
The vehicle will participate in the eWayBW project, which includes comparative testing with battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros and catenary trucks from other manufacturers. Daimler Truck states the production version aims to achieve ranges of up to 1,000 kilometres without refueling.
The company plans to begin delivering series-produced GenH2 Trucks to customers in 2027. This development aligns with Daimler Truck’s stated goal to offer only carbon-neutral vehicles in driving operation in Europe, Japan, and North America by 2039.
The manufacturer is pursuing a dual technology approach, developing both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. According to Daimler Truck, the choice between these technologies depends on specific use cases: battery systems are intended for lighter loads and shorter distances, while fuel cells are designed for heavier loads and longer distances.
Since July 2019, the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros has undergone field testing at Logistik Schmitt near Rastatt. The company notes it does not plan to develop catenary trucks as part of its strategy.
