The NextGen2 vehicle builds on its GenH2 predecessor with increased fuel capacity, range, payload capability, and compatibility with trailers, with Daimler claiming it performs “comparable to conventional diesel trucks”.

The truck inherits the BZA150 fuel-cell from Cellcentric from the GenH2 platform, which used between 5.6 and 8.0kg of hydrogen per 100km in the older model’s first trial.

It will also feature a new boil-off management system featuring an integrated cooling system to ensure stable operating conditions, along with hydrogen sensors to allow overnight stays in the cab.

Achim Puchert, CEO Mercedes-Benz trucks said that the NextGenH2 Truck, represents the “next technological step in fuel cell trucks”.

The Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth, Germany, plans to undertake a production run of 100 semi-trailer tractors for deployment by “various” unnamed customers by the end of 2026.

The new truck will add to ongoing trials of the GenH2 version across Europe with the likes of Amazon, DHL, Air Products and more.

These vehicle advancements come as the European hydrogen mobility market calls for more policy support to accelerate commercial uptake.

Last year, Daimler emerged as a founding member of the Global Hydrogen Mobility Alliance (GHMA), which urged policymakers to implement existing policies to close the cap gap between diesel and hydrogen.

GHMA argues a dispensed price of €8/kg ($9.29) of hydrogen, trucking could be close to cost parity with diesel and battery-electric. However, this would require the primary use of unabated fossil-based hydrogen.

The group claimed the early rollout of hydrogen trucks and refuelling stations should not be tied to the use of clean hydrogen, which it said mirrored the EV rollout, which scaled while electricity grids were largely still fossil fuelled.