Daimler Presents GenH2 Truck Fuel-Cell Concept Truck

They hope to achieve a commercially viable product with a range of up to 1,000 km (620 miles) within 5-8 years.

Daimler Trucks unveiled an all-new Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck hydrogen fuel-cell concept truck, which is envisioned for flexible and demanding long-haul transport.

It’s expected to have a range of up to 1,000 km (620 miles) using 80 kg of liquid hydrogen, stored in two stainless-steel tanks (40 kg each). Daimler explains: the stainless-steel tank system consists of two tubes, one within the other, that are connected to each other and vacuum-insulated.

The use of liquid hydrogen, instead of gaseous hydrogen, is crucial according to the manufacturer as it increases the overall energy density (smaller and lighter tanks) and allows for more range. On the other hand, Daimler needs to figure out how to commercially store liquid hydrogen in a mobile application at very low temperatures (in a stationary application is could be as low as -253°C).

“Daimler Trucks is currently pressing ahead with the development of the necessary tank-system technologies to make liquid hydrogen usable also in mobile applications as an energy source for series-produced fuel-cell trucks. The storage of cryogenic liquid hydrogen at -253 degrees Celsius is already common practice in stationary applications, for example in industry or at hydrogen filling stations. This also applies to the transport of liquid hydrogen as cargo.”