Daimler Truck Tests Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck Prototypes in the Swiss Alps

Daimler Truck has begun testing its latest generation of hydrogen fuel cell trucks under extreme winter conditions in the Swiss Alps, marking a key milestone in the journey toward zero-emission long-haul freight.

The company’s engineering team recently trialed two prototypes of the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck on the demanding terrain of the Simplon Pass in the Valais region of Switzerland. Known for steep climbs and freezing temperatures, the alpine environment provided the perfect backdrop to push the vehicles’ liquid hydrogen systems to the limit.

"We’re building on the learnings from our first prototype series and now testing refined systems in real-world extreme conditions," said Dr. Rainer Müller-Finkeldei, Head of Product Engineering at Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

With altitudes surpassing 2,000 meters and gradients reaching up to 12%, the Simplon Pass route enabled Daimler Truck to evaluate the synergy between the upgraded fuel cell systems and other key components such as the high-voltage battery, e-axle, tank system, and thermal management. The test phase also emphasized the efficiency of the Predictive Powertrain Control system — a topography-aware cruise control tool designed to optimize propulsion and recuperation during mountain driving.

Over the course of 14 days, the two hydrogen-powered trucks—each with a gross vehicle weight of up to 40 tons—traveled 6,500 kilometers, including 1,600 km of uphill and downhill stretches. They collectively tackled 83,000 meters of elevation gain and were supported by a mobile hydrogen refueling unit set up by Air Products at the Valais testing site.

Scaling Up: From Testing to Real-World Deployment

This testing initiative is part of a larger, EU-backed effort to scale fuel cell trucking. Last year, Daimler Truck secured €226 million in funding from the German Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV), alongside support from state governments in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. The funding supports the production, testing, and early customer deployment of 100 hydrogen trucks under the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) for hydrogen technologies.

Daimler Truck is preparing for small-scale production at its Wörth plant, with fleet rollout to select customers expected to begin by the end of 2026.

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