The Rhenus Group has put a Daimler Truck fuel-cell vehicle into regular logistics operations for the first time. Together with four other companies, Rhenus is taking part in the second phase of the customer-oriented practical testing program for the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck. The year-long trial aims to generate robust insights for the further development of alternative drive technologies and their future application in road freight transport.
Testing under real operating conditions
The hydrogen-powered truck is fully integrated into day-to-day processes at the Rhenus site in Duisburg, Germany, and is in use five days a week, both during the day and overnight. As a result, the vehicle is operating on the road almost around the clock. Its routes range from regional runs of around 150 km to long-distance operations of up to approximately 650 km. This broad usage pattern covers a wide spectrum of transport requirements, from local distribution to demanding long-haul assignments.
Thanks to high utilisation and diverse transport profiles, the truck achieves exceptionally high daily mileage. This places Rhenus among the partners with the most extensive real-world testing experience. Continuous operation enables a reliable assessment of the vehicle’s performance and technological maturity under real-life conditions.
Duisburg was deliberately chosen as the test location. As a central hub in the European Rhenus logistics network, it not only features high transport volumes but is also in close proximity to existing hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
Focus on everyday practicality
For Rhenus, the primary objective of the field test is to gather operational insights from everyday use, from the refuelling process and handling of hydrogen-specific systems to range behaviour and refuelling times compared with diesel trucks.
All data and observations are evaluated systematically in close collaboration with Daimler Truck. The findings will feed into both the strategic assessment of alternative drive systems and the further development of vehicle technology itself.
Technology for energy-intensive long-haul transport
The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck is designed specifically for heavy-duty long-haul transport. With a gross vehicle weight of around 40 t, a range of over 1000 km and the use of liquid hydrogen as its energy source, the truck offers a powerful alternative to conventional diesel vehicles.
“Particularly in energy-intensive heavy-duty and long-haul transport, we see significant potential in hydrogen-powered trucks”, said Thilo Meutzner, Managing Director of Rhenus Road Freight in Germany. “The field test helps us realistically assess the conditions under which this technology could be adopted on a broader scale in the future. It is already clear that scaling up the market will depend heavily on expanding refuelling infrastructure, ensuring the availability of green hydrogen and establishing competitive cost structures.”
A shared milestone toward climate-friendly logistics
From the perspective of Rhenus, cooperative projects of this nature are a key driver in advancing the decarbonisation of heavy-duty transport. Close collaboration between vehicle manufacturers and logistics providers makes it possible to develop technological innovations in a practical, real-world environment while incorporating operational requirements from the outset.
“As an international logistics service provider, we see ourselves not only as a user but as an active partner in advancing sustainable transport solutions. By gradually integrating alternative drive technologies, we are working to systematically reduce emissions across the entire value chain. Our collaboration with Daimler Truck plays a concrete role in this effort and generates insights that will benefit the entire industry,” Thilo Meutzner added.