Daimler Truck has put the first prototypes of the next generation of Mercedes-Benz fuel cell trucks through a series of gruelling tests in the Swiss alps.
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Over the course of 14 days, two CO2e-free hydrogen trucks were deployed and underwent an extensive and demanding test program.
They covered a total of 6500 kilometres and cross mountain roads with an accumulated climb of 83,000 metres, including a challenging 20-kilometre uphill and downhill stretch with gradients of 10-12 per cent.
Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks product engineering Rainer Müller-Finkeldei says the challenging conditions of the Simplon Pass in the Swiss Canton of Valais offered the perfect testing ground.
“For the further development of our Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, we are seamlessly building on the experiences of the first prototype generation and are therefore able to test the improved technology under extreme conditions right from the outset,” he says.
“With a maximum elevation of more than 2000 metres above sea level and a climb from 600 metres, the route over the Simplon Pass provided good conditions for the testing of interplay of the fuel cell system with other enhanced components.
“The successful tests have underlined the potential and reliability of the GenH2 Trucks, even under demanding conditions.”
The interaction of essential components was tested through the trials, including the fuel cell, high-voltage battery, e-axle, tank system and thermal management, with a focus on the use of the predictive powertrain control systems, the topography-dependent cruise control.
The aim was to use the battery in combination with the fuel cell efficiently in both propulsion and recuperation, while driving downhill.
The fuel cell trucks were refuelled via a mobile hydrogen refuelling station from Air Products, which was set up at the test base in Valais.
At the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth, the final assembly of the next generation fuel cell trucks are set to take place, and the trucks are expected to go into operation at various customers from the end of 2026 onwards.
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