Daimler Truck, Volvo Group, Toyota, Bosch and several major energy companies are joining forces to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen-powered trucks across Europe.
A Daimler Truck release says Germany will serve as the initial launch market, with the partners aiming to establish the conditions needed for the large-scale deployment of hydrogen trucks by 2030.
The coalition also includes Air Liquide, TotalEnergies, TEAL Mobility and MB Energy, bringing together expertise spanning truck manufacturing, fuel-cell technology, hydrogen production, distribution and refuelling infrastructure.
“For the first time in Europe, the German ecosystem has put in place all the conditions for a scalable deployment of hydrogen trucks by 2030, driven by the German authorities and European industrial leaders along the value chain,” Daimler Truck says in a statement.
“Building on the German deployment model as a blueprint, scaling these solutions across the continent calls for aligned support from national governments and the European Commission to ensure long-term energy resilience and competitiveness.”
The participants see hydrogen as a complement to battery-electric vehicles, particularly for truck operations requiring long range, high payload capacity, rapid refuelling and operational flexibility.
Daimler prepares 100 fuel-cell trucks
Daimler Truck says customers have completed almost 600,000km with its fuel-cell trucks.
The manufacturer plans to deploy 100 next-generation fuel-cell trucks into customer operations from the end of 2026.
Its first hydrogen internal-combustion engine trucks are also being prepared for market launch in 2027.
Daimler Truck plans to invest a mid-three-digit million-euro amount in hydrogen-powered trucks by the end of the decade.
Volvo Group is also developing fuel-cell and hydrogen-combustion powertrains, with market deployment targeted towards 2030.
Toyota will participate as a technology partner, drawing on more than 30 years of experience developing and supplying fuel-cell systems.
Bosch will provide vehicle components for gaseous hydrogen applications and refuelling technology suitable for liquid and gaseous hydrogen.
The release says Bosch’s fuel-cell system has accumulated more than 30 million kilometres of on-road operation.
High-capacity stations planned
Daimler Truck and Volvo Group are working with Air Liquide, TotalEnergies and MB Energy on hydrogen production and supply.
Refuelling infrastructure will involve MB Energy and TEAL Mobility, a joint venture owned equally by TotalEnergies and Air Liquide.
“These players are mobilising their respective capacities to scale both liquid and gaseous hydrogen supply chains,” Daimler Truck says.
“Through their infrastructure investments, they are advancing toward large capacity, high-throughput refueling stations, able to refuel up to 100 trucks per day.”
The companies also expect hydrogen production to expand as European countries implement the EU’s revised Renewable Energy Directive, known as RED III.
Cost parity with diesel targeted
The coalition says hydrogen trucks must become cost-competitive with diesel vehicles before widespread fleet adoption can occur.
“Reaching competitive cost with diesel is essential for fleet operators to adopt hydrogen,” the release says.
Three measures have been identified to help reach that point.
The first is reducing vehicle prices through government incentives and series production. The second is lowering hydrogen prices at the pump through more competitive supply chains and greenhouse-gas quota mechanisms.
The third involves operating incentives for fleet customers, including exemptions from road tolls for zero-emission trucks.
Recent applications under Germany’s NOW funding programme included proposals for more than 70 high-capacity hydrogen stations and 800 heavy-duty trucks.
The funding round was oversubscribed, which the companies say demonstrates demand from the logistics sector.
“Market is rising to meet these conditions,” the release says.
“Recent applications under Germany’s NOW funding program were oversubscribed, with over 70 high-capacity stations and 800 heavy-duty trucks applied for by industrial companies, confirming strong commercial pull from the logistics sector.”
European policy support sought
The participating companies want national governments and the European Commission to use Germany’s approach as a model for expanding hydrogen freight across the continent.
They are seeking coordinated funding rounds for vehicles and refuelling stations to support the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation targets.
The coalition also wants harmonised renewable fuel credit mechanisms, toll incentives and measures to reduce investment risks across hydrogen production, liquefaction, distribution and vehicle operation.
“While Germany serves as the operational launchpad, demonstrating how industry action and targeted public support can accelerate market development, the industry leaders are calling for strategic measures – supported by national governments and the European Commission – to replicate this model at a continental scale,” Daimler Truck says.
The companies argue that aligning vehicle deployments with fuel production and refuelling infrastructure will help reduce investment risks and improve the commercial case for hydrogen fleets.
“This combination of industrial execution and a strong policy framework provides the foundation needed to scale CO2-free freight while reinforcing Europe’s industrial competitiveness, energy resilience and employment, and reducing emissions from freight transport,” it says.
