Research suggests that Germany hydrogen fuel cell vehicle trucks are emerging as a critical solution for decarbonizing long-haul freight transport, where battery-electric alternatives face range and charging time limitations. The German logistics sector is actively piloting and deploying hydrogen fuel cell trucks in real-world operations.

Daimler Truck is leading the charge with the NextGenH2 fuel cell truck, set for small-series production at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth by the end of 2026 . The first 100 limited-production tractors are being built, utilizing liquid hydrogen technology developed in partnership with Linde. The NextGenH2 features two liquid hydrogen tanks with a total capacity of up to 85 kg, enabling ranges well over 1,000 kilometers, with refueling taking just 10-15 minutes .

The first customer for this new generation of hydrogen trucks is Dachser, a leading logistics provider. Dachser will deploy three NextGenH2 trucks at its Karlsruhe logistics center starting at the end of December 2026, with another two to follow by mid-2027 . The vehicles will operate in long-distance transport, demonstrating hydrogen's strengths in range and operational flexibility . Other early adopters testing prototype vehicles include Hornbach, Teva Germany (Ratiopharm), Reber Logistik, Rhenus, and DHL Supply Chain .

Bosch is also contributing to the development with its fuel cell module, which delivers over 200 kW of power. Hylane has brought the first hydrogen truck equipped with a Bosch fuel cell module into Germany's road freight transport sector—a 40-ton Iveco truck operated by logistics company Schäflein for the Bosch plant in Nuremberg . The truck has a range of up to 800 kilometers and is expected to cover 12,000 kilometers annually on fixed routes . These real-world deployments are generating critical data for further development of fuel cell technology. As the Germany hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market continues to grow, hydrogen trucks are poised to become a mainstay of sustainable logistics in Germany.