Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group – officially outlined their roadmap for the new fuel-cell joint venture cellcentric, to accelerate the use of hydrogen-based fuel cells for long-haul trucks and beyond. The companies say cellcentric will build Europe’s planned series production of fuel-cell systems, with operation planned to commence in 2025.
Designed to help meet the 2050 targets of sustainable transport and a carbon-neutral Europe as part of the European Green Deal, cellcentric will develop, produce and commercialize fuel-cell systems for both long-haul trucking and other applications.
According to Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group, purely battery-electric and hydrogen-based fuel-cell trucks will complement each other depending on the individual customer use case. Battery power will be rather used for lower cargo weights and for shorter distances, while fuel-cell power will tend to be the preferred option for heavier loads and longer distances.
Currently, cellcentric is conceptualizing the plans for its large-scale series production. More details and a decision on the location will be revealed over the course of 2022.
Daimler Truck AG’s and Volvo Group’s goal is to start with customer tests of fuel-cell trucks in about three years and to be in series production of fuel-cell trucks during the second half of this decade. All vehicle-related activities are carried out independently from each other, as both companies remain competitors in all vehicle and product ranges, and particularly in fuel-cell integration solutions for all products.
Fuel -Cells vs Batteries. Hydrogen energy is a good idea. But have you overcome the issues that it takes more energy to harvest hydrogen than what we get out of it?
Have you discovered a method that can extract hydrogen efficiently & environmentally while also having a true cost benefit?