- Daimler Truck Unveils Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Fuel Cell Truck
- Plans Small-Series Production for 2026
LEINFELDEN-ECHTERDINGEN, Germany – Daimler Truck presented its Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Truck on January 26, 2026, announcing plans for a small-series production run of 100 hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The company intends to deploy these trucks with customers beginning at the end of 2026.
What is new?
Daimler Truck has introduced the Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Truck, marking the company’s next development milestone in hydrogen fuel cell transportation. A limited series of 100 semi-trailer tractors will be manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth and deployed in customer operations starting from the end of 2026. The new model represents a technological step forward in the company’s strategy to advance sustainable transport, with series production of fuel cell trucks targeted for the early 2030s. The development is supported by €226 million in funding from the German Federal Ministry of Transport and the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg.
Technological Upgrades
The NextGenH2 Truck integrates proven technology from its predecessor, the GenH2 Truck, with series components from the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600. The truck retains the cellcentric BZA150 fuel cell system, which has a total output of 300 kW, and its liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuel system. New additions from the eActros 600 include the integrated e-axle with a 4-speed transmission, the aerodynamically optimized ProCabin, the Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2, and the latest generation of safety and assistance systems. Achim Puchert, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, stated that hydrogen-based drives are crucial for the industry’s sustainable transformation alongside battery-electric solutions.
Key Specifications and Performance
Daimler Truck continues to prefer liquid hydrogen for its high energy density, which allows for a range of over 1,000 kilometers on a single tank at full load. The NextGenH2 Truck features an increased tank capacity of up to 85 kg of liquid hydrogen stored at -253 degrees Celsius. Refueling takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes using the sLH2 standard. The vehicle’s powertrain delivers up to 340 kW in Economy Mode and 370 kW in Power Mode. A 101 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery serves as a buffer for the fuel cell and stores recuperated energy captured during braking or downhill driving.
Design and Usability Enhancements
Based on feedback from customer trials of the first-generation model, the NextGenH2 Truck features several design improvements. A more compact arrangement of components in the “Tech Tower” behind the cab has shortened the wheelbase by 150 mm to 4,000 mm, increasing compatibility with a wider range of standard trailers. The truck includes a new boil-off management system that allows for parking in enclosed spaces and a sensor system that permits overnight stays in the cab’s two standard beds. The ProCabin design contributes to a nine percent improvement in the drag coefficient, and new aerodynamically designed side panels with integrated crash elements provide better protection for the hydrogen tanks.
About this company
Daimler Truck Holding AG is one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers, with over 40 main locations and more than 100,000 employees globally. The company’s business activities are structured in five segments: Trucks North America (with brands like Freightliner and Western Star), Trucks Asia (FUSO and RIZON), Mercedes-Benz Trucks (Mercedes-Benz and BharatBenz), Daimler Buses (Mercedes-Benz and Setra), and Daimler Truck Financial Services.
The company provides light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks for long-distance, distribution, and construction transport, as well as special-purpose vehicles. Its bus segment includes city buses, school buses, intercity buses, and coaches. In addition to vehicle sales, Daimler Truck offers aftersales services and connectivity solutions, with a focus on advancing the industry’s transformation to CO2-neutral driving.
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