Based on a Mercedes Benz Actros chassis, the truck is equipped with a 7.8-litre Deutz six-cylinder in-line engine which, after conversion to hydrogen, generates an output of 210kW.

The hydrogen engine has been combined with the Allison 3000 R transmission and zero-emission technology, which reportedly enables optimal integration with several energy sources.

With the support of special-purpose vehicle conversion and construction company Paul Nutzfahrzeuge, KEYOU expects the vehicle to go into operation shortly. EP-Trans, located in Regensburg, Germany, has said the truck will serve an international steel group in Bavaria.

In an online statement, KEYOU said the truck will offer efficiencies of up to 45%, “outperforming the latest diesel engines while reducing vehicle emissions,” reducing CO2 emissions by 99.7%.

The Managing Director of EP-Trans, Markus Pumpf, stressed that electric trucks were “not a viable option” for the firm’s purposes, and instead had an eye on KEYOU’s technology from the outset.

Georg Ehrlinger, another Managing Director at EP-Trans, added, “We were looking for and found a solution that would enable us to make emission-free deliveries to our customers without compromising on range or efficiency and without having to deal with long recharging times.

“The converted hydrogen engine is based on a mature diesel engine platform, and we expect it to have the same high reliability and durability as a diesel engine.”

Commenting on the 3000 R transmission system from Allison Transmission, Christian Bock, the company’s Area Sales Manager said the technology offers “exceptional flexibility and is designed to integrate seamlessly with different fuel types.”

Bock continued, “It not only enhances the drivability and acceleration of the hydrogen truck but also increases the energy efficiency and range of the vehicle.

“This integration demonstrates how crucial the choice of transmission is for the performance of hydrogen combustion engines,” he concluded.