The stage was set at CES, where Nikola unveiled its hydrogen-fueled semi, but Daimler Truck stole the spotlight with the announcement of their GenH2 electric semi.
As the trucking industry races towards a sustainable future, Daimler’s GenH2 is making significant strides, offering a promising alternative to traditional fossil-fueled big rigs.
Daimler Truck has set ambitious goals with the GenH2, a hydrogen-powered electric semi that utilizes fuel cells running on liquid hydrogen. The company has entered agreements with several fleet operators in Germany, aiming to have the GenH2 electric semi on German roads by mid-2024. Early road tests have demonstrated the truck’s capability to haul a fully loaded payload of approximately 25 tons for over 1,000 kilometers on a single fueling.
The GenH2 Truck’s fuel-cell system delivers an impressive 300 kilowatts, supplemented by a battery providing an additional 400 kW for quick acceleration and hill climbing. Despite a seemingly modest 70-kilowatt-hour storage capacity, the battery proves effective in recycling kinetic energy through regenerative braking.
Daimler, in collaboration with Linde and Air Liquide, embraces advances in liquid hydrogen storage that offer notable advantages over traditional pressurized gas systems. The GenH2 Truck utilizes cryogenic liquid hydrogen, allowing for higher energy density and a more substantial payload. The liquid state enables greater hydrogen storage per unit volume compared to room-temperature gaseous hydrogen, translating to extended range and increased efficiency.
Specially-equipped liquid hydrogen filling stations in Wörth am Rhein and the Duisburg area play a crucial role in the GenH2 Truck’s success. These stations pump cryogenic liquid hydrogen, cooled to an ultra-low minus 253 degrees Celsius, into two 44-kilogram stainless steel tanks mounted on the truck’s chassis. Remarkably, refueling is completed within 10 to 15 minutes, with high-efficiency insulation maintaining the hydrogen below its ultra-low boiling point without active cooling.
Daimler Truck, consistent with its history of spearheading safety technologies, has made the liquid hydrogen (LH2) recipe an ISO standard, fostering collaboration with other companies. The automaker intends to collaborate on the development of liquid hydrogen refueling and fuel cell vehicle technologies, aiming to establish a global mass market for this innovative refueling process.
Daimler Truck is not stopping with the GenH2 Truck; the company is actively working with Linde on an advanced process for handling hydrogen cooled to super low temperatures, promising even higher storage density and easier refueling compared to the LH2 process. Additionally, Daimler plans to collaborate with Shell, BP, and TotalEnergies to expand hydrogen refueling infrastructure for major transport routes in Europe, setting the stage for a broader adoption of hydrogen as an automotive energy modality.
While pricing details for the GenH2 Truck are yet to be disclosed, its potential impact on the trucking industry is evident. Fleet Owner magazine estimates a Nikola fuel-cell semi at approximately $750,000, with potential incentives that could significantly reduce the cost for some owners. Daimler’s GenH2 Truck stands as a beacon of innovation, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future in freight transportation.
