Testing the brand-new Mercedes-Benz GenH2 fuel-cell truck is a further step in the decarbonisation of our transportation network as we transition to net-zero carbon across all our operations by 2040. Here, we offer an exclusive behind the scenes look into what it means to work with a prototype of hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles.
How does a hydrogen fuel cell work?
To start, a fuel cell is an electrochemical cell. A fuel cell uses chemical energy to cleanly and efficiently produce electricity.
Fuel cells using pure hydrogen fuel are carbon-free. Their only by-products are electricity, heat and water. Since fuel cells generate electricity through chemistry rather than combustion, they can help achieve much higher efficiencies than traditional energy generations like an internal combustion engine.
Fuel cells using pure hydrogen fuel are carbon-free. Their only by-products are electricity, heat and water. Since fuel cells generate electricity through chemistry rather than combustion, they can help achieve much higher efficiencies than traditional energy generations like an internal combustion engine.
How do hydrogen fuel cell vehicles work?
There are fuel cell applications in all types of vehicles. An automotive hydrogen fuel cell truck generates electricity from fuel cells powered by hydrogen and stored within the truck’s tank. Unlike a battery-powered electric truck, which like other EVs draws its energy from externally-charged batteries, a hydrogen fuel cell electric truck operates by combining hydrogen and oxygen in electrochemical reactions to generate electricity, heat and water.
The size and quantity of electric motors required to power a truck depends on what work it does—construction needs will be different from collecting waste and freight haulage, and so on.
Hydrogen fuel cell trucks can also run with a much smaller battery than an all-electric truck since the amount of energy stored in the fuel-cell system depends on the size of hydrogen tanks and not the battery. Hydrogen can also be refilled rapidly, meaning that hydrogen-powered vehicles can maximise productivity.
The size and quantity of electric motors required to power a truck depends on what work it does—construction needs will be different from collecting waste and freight haulage, and so on.
Hydrogen fuel cell trucks can also run with a much smaller battery than an all-electric truck since the amount of energy stored in the fuel-cell system depends on the size of hydrogen tanks and not the battery. Hydrogen can also be refilled rapidly, meaning that hydrogen-powered vehicles can maximise productivity.
What is GenH2?
The GenH2 trucks are based on the characteristics of conventional diesel Mercedes-Benz Actros long-haul trucks, in terms of both payload, range, and performance. GenH2 hydrogen trucks offer a payload of approximately 25 tons and at a gross combination weight of 40 tons. They are also equipped with two special liquid hydrogen tanks and a fuel-cell system range comparable to diesel trucks with similar refuelling times.
The benefit of using liquid hydrogen is that it enables a higher payload, making the GenH2 Truck just as suitable for flexible and demanding long-haul road transportation as conventional diesel trucks. Liquid hydrogen also enables a range of up to 1,000 kilometres.
After a rigorous testing phase on the test track and public roads, these full-cell trucks have now reached an advanced development stage for deployment in the first customer fleets.
“To make this project become a reality, 14 different teams within Amazon were involved,” says Nilesh Patel, Senior Project Manager at Carbon Innovations. “The enthusiasm of each POC, their ability to share solutions to overcome obstacles, and their focus on delivering results were the basis that led to a successful outcome."
The benefit of using liquid hydrogen is that it enables a higher payload, making the GenH2 Truck just as suitable for flexible and demanding long-haul road transportation as conventional diesel trucks. Liquid hydrogen also enables a range of up to 1,000 kilometres.
After a rigorous testing phase on the test track and public roads, these full-cell trucks have now reached an advanced development stage for deployment in the first customer fleets.
“To make this project become a reality, 14 different teams within Amazon were involved,” says Nilesh Patel, Senior Project Manager at Carbon Innovations. “The enthusiasm of each POC, their ability to share solutions to overcome obstacles, and their focus on delivering results were the basis that led to a successful outcome."
What GenH2 means for Amazon Freight transport services
By testing the new GenH2 truck, Amazon has the opportunity to not only gain practical experience in operating hydrogen fuel-cell powered vehicles but also to help shape the development of more sustainable logistics through eco-friendly transport. On top of this, we are able to provide the Daimler Truck development team with insights into the real-life operation of a truck powered by liquid hydrogen, share our specific requirements, and pave the way for a successful series development.
At the beginning of the trial during August, we will use the GenH2 Truck on specific tours in our logistics operations. As we and our freight partner become familiar with its operations and review operational data, longer tours will commence from month 2 onwards. Acknowledging we are operating a prototype vehicle, our operations will ramp-up based on the vehicle’s performance.
"We remain steadfast in our Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040. The decarbonization of our transport network plays a crucial role in achieving this milestone, and we continue to invest, experiment, and innovate. We look forward to supporting the Daimler Truck development team in the next phase of this project.
Read more about Amazon Freight’s sustainable transport initiatives, or visit our newsroom for further insights.
At the beginning of the trial during August, we will use the GenH2 Truck on specific tours in our logistics operations. As we and our freight partner become familiar with its operations and review operational data, longer tours will commence from month 2 onwards. Acknowledging we are operating a prototype vehicle, our operations will ramp-up based on the vehicle’s performance.
"We remain steadfast in our Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040. The decarbonization of our transport network plays a crucial role in achieving this milestone, and we continue to invest, experiment, and innovate. We look forward to supporting the Daimler Truck development team in the next phase of this project.
Read more about Amazon Freight’s sustainable transport initiatives, or visit our newsroom for further insights.
Amazon Freight uses cookies to enhance your experience and help us understand how you use our website. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose what types of cookies you allow. Click Accept All to allow all cookies or open Cookie Preferences to set your preferences.