DAIMLER Truck AG and Volvo Group have outlined their roadmap for the new fuel-cell joint venture Cellcentric, as part of an industry first commitment to accelerate the use of hydrogen based fuel cells for long haul trucks.
With the ambition of becoming a leading global manufacturer of fuel-cell systems, Cellcentric will build one of Europe’s largest series production fuel-cell systems, with the operation planned to commence in 2025.
The joint venture can draw on decades of expertise and development work from both Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group. Purely battery electric and hydrogen based fuel-cell trucks will complement each other as battery power will be used for lower cargo weights and shorter distances, while fuel-cell power will be the preferred option for heavier loads and longer distances.
Martin Daum, chairman of the board of management of Daimler Truck AG said: “Hydrogen powered fuel-cell electric trucks will enable CO2 neutral transportation in the future. Battery electric trucks alone will not make this possible. Together with our partner Volvo Group, we are therefore fully committed to our fuel-cell joint venture Cellcentric and we are both pushing forward the development of the technology as well as the series production preparations.”
