Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group have revealed the roadmap for their cellcentric joint venture, which aims to accelerate the use of hydrogen-based fuel cells for long-haul trucks.
From 2025, the joint venture will develop, produce and commercialise fuel-cells for a range of uses, including long-haul trucks. Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group claim that battery-electric and hydrogen-based fuel-cell trucks will be complementary and fit a variety of use cases – with EVs ideal for lower cargo weight, shorter haul operations, and hydrogen for heavier loads and longer distances.
Martin Daum, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck AG and Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, said, “Hydrogen-powered fuel-cell electric trucks will be key for enabling CO₂-neutral transportation in the future. In combination with pure battery-electric drives, it enables us to offer our customers the best genuinely locally CO₂-neutral vehicle options, depending on the application. Battery-electric trucks alone will not make this possible. Together with our partner Volvo Group, we are therefore fully committed to our fuel-cell joint venture cellcentric and we are both pushing forward the development of the technology as well as the series production preparations. Regarding the necessary hydrogen infrastructure, it is clear that green hydrogen is the only sensible way forward in the long term.”
Of the challenges facing the industry as it works towards carbon neutrality by 2050, Volvo Group CEO, Martin Lundstedt added, “There needs to be greater cooperation between public and private stakeholders to develop the necessary technology and infrastructure, which is why we are calling for united action from policymakers and governments around the world in helping us make hydrogen fuel-cell technology a success. Partnerships like cellcentric are vital to our commitment to decarbonising road transport.”
