Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks Conquer Extreme Winter Tests on the Simplon Pass

Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks Conquer Extreme Winter Tests on the Simplon Pass

(IN BRIEF) Daimler Truck’s development team has advanced its innovation efforts by testing the first prototypes of the new Mercedes-Benz GenH2 fuel cell trucks. These vehicles underwent intensive winter testing on the Simplon Pass in Valais, where extreme weather and steep gradients helped assess the integration of key components such as the fuel cell, high-voltage battery, and e-axle, along with the advanced Predictive Powertrain Controls system. Over a 14-day period, the CO₂e-free hydrogen trucks, weighing up to 40 tons, covered 6,500 kilometers with an impressive cumulative climb of 83,000 meters. This rigorous testing, supported by a mobile hydrogen refueling station from Air Products, is part of a broader initiative funded by €226 million from German authorities and regional partners under the EU’s IPCEI Hydrogen program. The project aims to develop, produce on a small scale, and deploy 100 fuel cell trucks, with final assembly planned at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth and customer operations expected to commence by the end of 2026.

(PRESS RELEASE) LEINFELDEN-ECHTERDINGEN, 24-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Daimler Truck’s development team has unveiled the first prototypes of the next generation of Mercedes-Benz fuel cell trucks, which have recently been put through a rigorous series of tests. In a pioneering effort, two vehicles from the new Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck lineup were subjected to intensive winter trials along the challenging roads of the Simplon Pass in the Swiss Canton of Valais. The extreme cold, heavy snowfall, and steep gradients of the region offered the ideal proving ground for evaluating the performance of the liquid hydrogen-powered system under real-world, high-stress conditions.

Dr. Rainer Müller-Finkeldei, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Product Engineering, elaborated on the process: “We are leveraging the lessons learned from our initial prototype generation to push the boundaries of our technology right from the early stages of development. The Simplon Pass, with its peaks exceeding 2,000 meters above sea level and a significant elevation gain from 600 meters, has been instrumental in testing how our fuel cell system integrates with other enhanced components. The successful outcome of these trials has clearly demonstrated the robustness and potential of the GenH2 Trucks, even in the most demanding environments.”

Throughout the tests, every critical component was put under scrutiny. This included the fuel cell itself, the high-voltage battery, the e-axle, the tank system, and the thermal management system. A key focus was placed on the Predictive Powertrain Controls system, a topography-dependent cruise control that optimizes the use of both the battery and fuel cell—not only for propulsion but also for energy recuperation during downhill drives.

The two hydrogen trucks, which operate completely CO₂e-free, embarked on a grueling 14-day test program. With a gross vehicle weight of up to 40 tons, they covered 6,500 kilometers and scaled an accumulated climb of 83,000 meters. Particularly demanding were the approximately 20-kilometer long uphill and downhill segments with gradients between 10 and 12 percent, totaling 1,600 kilometers. During these trials, the trucks were refueled by a mobile hydrogen station provided by Air Products, which was stationed at the Valais test base.

This series of tests forms a vital part of an extensive trial initiative for fuel cell trucks. Last autumn, the German Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport, in collaboration with the states of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, approved a funding package of €226 million for Daimler Truck. This investment supports the development, limited production, and eventual deployment of 100 fuel cell trucks, under the umbrella of the European Union’s IPCEI Hydrogen program. The funding covers both vehicle development and production-related activities, including feasibility studies on the hydrogen value chain and investments in production facilities and processes. Final assembly of these next generation trucks will take place at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth, and they are anticipated to begin customer operations from the end of 2026.

Media Contact:

Paul Mandaiker
Spokesperson Technology & Regulations
paul.mandaiker​@daimlertruck.com
+49 176 30999267

SOURCE: Daimler Truck AG