DACHSER will become the first company to operate Daimler Truck’s new Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 hydrogen-powered truck.
The logistics provider will deploy the first vehicle at its Karlsruhe logistics center at the end of December 2026. Two additional trucks will enter service by mid-2027.
The three vehicles form part of a pilot series of 100 NextGenH2 trucks that Daimler Truck will deliver to selected customers. The manufacturer plans to start volume production in the early 2030s.
DACHSER will use the trucks mainly for long-haul transport. The company expects the vehicles to demonstrate their advantages in range and operational flexibility.
Stefan Hohm, Chief Development Officer at DACHSER, said the company continues to invest in zero-emission transport solutions.
“In logistics, we need powerful and efficient zero-emission vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and eventually replace diesel trucks,” he said.
DACHSER already operates more than 190 electric trucks across its network, including several Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 vehicles.
Hohm said hydrogen-powered trucks could complement battery-electric fleets, particularly on routes that require longer ranges or faster refuelling times.
The NextGenH2 truck uses a fuel-cell system developed by cellcentric. The system converts hydrogen into electricity to power the truck’s electric motors.
The vehicle runs on liquid hydrogen, which offers a higher energy density than gaseous hydrogen.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks said the technology delivers a range of more than 1,000 kilometres while maintaining a high payload capacity. Drivers can also refuel the vehicle in 10 to 15 minutes.
DACHSER will integrate the trucks into its international transport network, including routes to other European countries.
The Karlsruhe logistics center sits around 30 kilometres from the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth, where liquid hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is available.
Bernd Großmann, General Manager of DACHSER Karlsruhe, said the site offers ideal conditions for testing new transport technologies under real operating conditions.
Achim Puchert, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said hydrogen will play an important role in decarbonising long-distance transport in Europe.
He added that DACHSER’s decision to deploy both hydrogen and battery-electric Mercedes-Benz trucks highlights the strong partnership between the two companies and their shared commitment to sustainable transport.
