Daimler Truck has pulled the covers off the Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Truck, confirming a limited production run that signals a decisive push towards hydrogen-powered long-haul transport, reports Transport News European correspondent Peter Schmitz.
From late 2026, 100 fuel-cell trucks will be built at Mercedes-Benz’s Wörth plant and placed directly into customer fleets for real-world operation, marking the most advanced phase yet of Daimler Truck’s hydrogen programme. The NextGenH2 Truck follows the earlier GenH2 demonstrator and is positioned as being close to full series-production readiness.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks CEO Achim Puchert said hydrogen will sit alongside battery-electric technology as a core pillar of heavy-duty decarbonisation, with the NextGenH2 designed to prove long range, fast refuelling and everyday usability under genuine long-haul conditions.
The truck continues to use liquid hydrogen (LH₂), delivering ranges of well over 1,000km at full load. Tank capacity has been increased to up to 85kg, while refuelling can be completed in 10 to 15 minutes using Daimler Truck’s sLH2 standard. Propulsion comes from two cellcentric BZA150 fuel cells, producing a combined 300kW.
Crucially, the NextGenH2 borrows heavily from Mercedes-Benz’s latest battery-electric platform. Key components from the eActros 600 include the integrated e-axle with four-speed transmission, the aerodynamically optimised ProCabin, the Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2, and the newest generation of safety and driver-assistance systems. Energy buffering is provided by a 101kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.
Reworked packaging behind the cab has cut the wheelbase to 4,000mm, improving compatibility with standard trailers and broadening operational flexibility. New safety systems and an upgraded hydrogen boil-off management solution also allow the truck to be parked in enclosed spaces and support overnight cab use.
The programme is being underwritten by €226m in public funding from the German Federal Ministry of Transport, alongside the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg, covering development, production and customer trials.
Daimler Truck has made clear that this is not a technology showcase. The NextGenH2 Truck is a stepping stone towards full series production of hydrogen fuel-cell trucks in the early 2030s, as the manufacturer sharpens its dual-track strategy for zero-emission long-haul transport.
