Daimler Truck is advancing its next generation of fuel cell trucks, with two prototypes undergoing rigorous winter testing on the Simplon Pass in the Swiss canton of Valais.
Following the first batch of GenH2 trucks, Daimler Truck is now developing an improved version, tested from the outset in extreme conditions. Over 14 days, two hydrogen-powered trucks covered a total of 6,500 kilometres in snow and freezing temperatures, carrying a gross vehicle weight of 40 tonnes. They navigated mountain roads with a cumulative elevation gain of 83,000 metres.
“With a maximum altitude of over 2,000 metres above sea level and a 600-metre climb, the Simplon Pass provided ideal conditions to test how the fuel cell system interacts with other enhanced components,” explained Rainer Müller-Finkeldei, Head of Product Engineering at Mercedes-Benz Trucks. He added, “These tests confirmed the potential and reliability of the GenH2 trucks, even under demanding conditions.”
Optimising Component Interaction
During the trials, engineers assessed the performance of key components, including the fuel cell, high-voltage battery, electric axle, tank system, and thermal management. A key focus was the Predictive Powertrain Controls system, an advanced cruise control that adapts to road profiles. The goal was to optimise battery usage alongside the fuel cell, maximising both propulsion efficiency and energy recovery when descending slopes.
The trucks were refuelled using hydrogen supplied by an Air Products mobile station installed at the test base in Valais. These prototypes are paving the way for the small-scale production of 100 GenH2 trucks, supported by an IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) grant from the German government.
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