Mercedes-Benz Trucks Unveils NextGenH2 Fuel Cell Truck for Long-Haul Transport

Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Truck

(IN BRIEF) Mercedes-Benz Trucks has presented the NextGenH2 Truck, a next-generation fuel cell truck designed for demanding long-haul transport and based on liquid hydrogen technology. Combining proven fuel cell components with series technologies from the eActros 600, the new model delivers ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometres, enhanced safety, and improved compatibility with standard trailers. A small series of 100 vehicles will enter customer operations from the end of 2026, supported by public funding, as Daimler Truck advances hydrogen-based mobility alongside battery-electric solutions on the path to zero-emissions transport.

(PRESS RELEASE) LEINFELDEN-ECHTERDINGEN, 26-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Mercedes-Benz Trucks has unveiled the Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Truck, marking the next major development step in hydrogen-based long-haul transport and reinforcing Daimler Truck’s multi-path approach to sustainable mobility. Building on the successful testing of its first-generation GenH2 Truck, the new fuel cell truck combines proven hydrogen technology with key series components from the battery-electric eActros 600, delivering higher technological maturity and enhanced customer usability. As part of a limited small-series production, 100 vehicles will be manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth and deployed with customers from the end of 2026.

The NextGenH2 Truck retains core elements from its predecessor, including liquid hydrogen storage and the cellcentric BZA150 fuel cell, while introducing a range of innovations aimed at improving performance, safety, and operational flexibility. Liquid hydrogen, stored at –253°C, enables ranges well over 1,000 kilometres on a single refuelling at full load, bringing fuel cell trucks closer to the performance and usability of conventional diesel vehicles. Compared with gaseous hydrogen, liquid hydrogen offers higher energy density, reduced logistical effort, and advantages in weight and cost, supporting higher payloads and long-haul suitability.

A key advancement is the integration of series components from the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, including the latest generation integrated e-axle, the aerodynamically optimised ProCabin, the Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2, and advanced safety and driver assistance systems based on the latest E/E architecture. These elements contribute to improved efficiency, a modern digital driving environment, and compliance with current cybersecurity and safety standards. The ProCabin alone delivers a nine percent improvement in aerodynamic drag compared with the previous cab, supporting lower energy consumption.

At the heart of the drive system is the cellcentric BZA150 fuel cell, developed through the Daimler Truck and Volvo Group joint venture. Two fuel cell units operate as a twin system with a combined output of 300 kW, supplying electricity to the electric motors integrated into the e-axle, supported by a 101 kWh high-voltage lithium-iron-phosphate buffer battery. This configuration enables strong, smooth power delivery, efficient energy recuperation during braking and downhill driving, and zero local emissions, with water vapour as the only by-product.

Customer feedback from early GenH2 Truck trials has directly shaped the NextGenH2 Truck’s design. A more compact Tech Tower behind the cab has shortened the wheelbase to 4,000 mm, increasing compatibility with a wider range of standard trailers within EU length regulations. New safety solutions include improved hydrogen tank protection, an advanced boil-off management system, and a sensor system that enables overnight stays in the cab, enhancing comfort and flexibility for long-haul drivers.

The NextGenH2 Truck has already undergone extensive testing under extreme conditions, including winter and summer trials in the Swiss Alps. The development, production, and customer deployment of the small series are supported by €226 million in funding from the German Federal Ministry of Transport and the federal states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg. Daimler Truck continues to target series production of fuel cell trucks in the early 2030s, positioning hydrogen alongside battery-electric solutions as a cornerstone of the industry’s sustainable transformation.

Media Contacts:

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

SOURCE: Daimler Truck AG