Mercedes-Benz is taking a major step toward putting hydrogen long-haul trucking on real routes, not just test tracks. Daimler Truck says it will build a small series of 100 Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 semi-trailer tractors at its Wörth plant, with customer deployments starting at the end of 2026, positioning the program as a bridge between prototype development and full series production planned for the early 2030s.
Small-Series Production, Not A Full Launch
This is not a mass-market rollout yet, but it is a meaningful shift from one-off prototypes to a controlled production run that will be operated by customers. Daimler Truck is effectively using these 100 trucks to validate durability, service routines, and hydrogen fueling logistics at scale, while also proving that the packaging can work in daily freight operations.
The company says the NextGenH2 is designed for heavy long-haul use, and it is targeting “well over” 1,000 kilometers of range on a single fill under full load, which is the kind of number needed to compete with diesel-style duty cycles.
Liquid Hydrogen, Fast Refueling, And A Hybridized Powertrain
Daimler Truck is doubling down on liquid hydrogen, arguing that LH2’s higher energy density makes it more suitable for long distance freight than compressed gas. The NextGenH2 carries up to 85 kilograms of liquid hydrogen in two tanks, and Daimler Truck says refueling can take roughly 10 to 15 minutes using the sLH2 standard it developed with Linde, an important claim because time at the pump is one of the biggest operational constraints in trucking.
Power comes from a twin fuel cell setup based on the cellcentric BZA150, delivering 300 kilowatts total, paired with a 101 kilowatt-hour LFP buffer battery used for energy management and recuperation. Drive hardware is closely related to Mercedes’ battery-electric heavy truck, using the same in-house e-axle with a four-speed transmission, and Daimler Truck says output reaches up to 370 kilowatts in its highest setting.
A key change versus earlier GenH2 prototypes is a more compact “Tech Tower” behind the cab, intended to improve trailer compatibility and fit within European length rules through a shorter wheelbase. Daimler Truck also highlights a new boil-off management system intended to meet regulatory requirements for hydrogen handling, including when parking in enclosed spaces, plus sensor systems designed to support overnight stays in the cab even in the unlikely event of a leak. The truck also brings the latest driver assistance suite, including advanced braking and side-guard systems, alongside updated cybersecurity architecture.
The brand is still refining lighting and safety tech in parallel, as seen in how the design conversation continues around headlamps . It is also still investing in traditional performance craftsmanship, while working to rebuild momentum in battery EVs.
