Daimler: a Toyota fuel cell for buses, cellcentric for trucks

At the Le Mans H2 event, a Mercedes e-Citaro fuel cell bus was on display. A standard bus that carries a Toyota fuel cell, even though the same Daimler group produces fuel cells through a subsidiary. Why is that? Here’s the explanation.

The said collaboration was announced in 2022 (read the press release here). The bus uses the 60 kW fuel cell as a range extender. It is integrated into the roof of the bus, alongside the battery and hydrogen tanks. 

This choice was explained during a session led by Daimler Truck. The manufacturer’s aim was to have a reliable technology that could be used every day. Daimler is also working on energy recovery, with electric motors in the wheels feeding current back into the batteries. The result is an efficient propulsion chain, with a range of 400 km in urban areas (350 km for an articulated model, like the one that Le Mans will be using). Experts from the bus division also explained that the transport authorities had passed a milestone in terms of acceptance of hydrogen technology. Concerns now lie on the cost of hydrogen rather than on safety or reliability.

This collaboration demonstrates Toyota’s strategy of promoting its technology with competitors (as it has done with BMW in the automotive sector). In addition to supplying the technology, Toyota provides assistance as well.

700 patents for cellcentric

During his speech, Matthieu Beyt, Head of Sales at Daimler Buses France, pointed out that the group (Daimler Truck) had a multi-energy approach and that hydrogen was one of the solutions, in addition to electric. He also mentioned that the group had put 50 hydrogen-powered buses on the road as part of European programmes, but not one in France. The French city of Le Mans will be one of the first to run the articulated e-Citaro fuel cell. 

Cellcentric (a joint venture between Daimler and Volvo) employs more than 500 people and claims 700 patents. The company, which was exhibiting at the IAA Transportation in Hannover, said it had developed a 400 kg, 375 kW fuel cell that was more compact. It has been designed to fit into the engine compartment of long-haulage trucks (see press release). The Mercedes GenH2 (which set a new range record of 1,047 km) was also on show in Hannover.

To make it simple, Daimler Truck’s choices in terms of technology depend on the application.

Do you want to learn more about hydrogen trucks and buses from Daimler? Then our latest articles about the group should interest you. You can access all our articles written about Daimler here.

Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King