Daimler and Volvo fuel-cell partnership gains pace

The unveiling of the new Mercedes-Benz GenH2 concept truck on September 16 has proven the collaboration of Daimler with Volvo Group on hydrogen fuel cell research and development is beginning to bear fruit.

Speaking at the reveal of the GenH2 in Berlin, Daimler Trucks CEO Martin Daum said Daimler has been working on fuel cells since the 1990s, while the joint venture with one of its arch rivals underlines the commitment of both behemoths to this alternative fuel source, which emits nothing but harmless water vapour and air.

"Fuel cell production is very capital intensive, so you need high batch numbers in order to reduce the cost of the fuel cells – that's why for us it was a breakthrough in discussions with the Volvo Group when we realised they have the same issue," he said.

"Yes, they [Volvo] also believe in the fuel cell for long haul and they have a lot of sales there just as big as we have in North America and Europe. They were aware of needing larger batch numbers as well. So Volvo needed a working fuel cell, we needed higher numbers, and this is why it was a logical step to work together and that is why half a year ago we founded a common company for the development and production of fuel cells.

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Mr Daum said the collaboration is a big win for both manufacturers, who will nonetheless remain fierce rivals in every other respect.

"It was a very successful start and we're happy to be behind that project," he said.

"It means Mercedes and Volvo will get the fuel cell from our fuel cell company.

"I don't know what Volvo will do with the fuel cell, Volvo doesn't know what we will do with the fuel cell, so we will stay as competitors but we cooperate with these large scale investments and so that is why I am very much looking forward to this cooperation, this partnership."

Mr Daum said Volvo wasn't the only other major manufacturer Daimler was collaborating with on fuel cell technology.

"We also have Rolls-Royce's cooperation, who also need to switch from diesel to CO2-free fuel cell systems for stationary power generators," he said.

"That will also help us reduce the cost. Both of these examples are proof of the readiness of the technology and it also proves that we are ready to invest and meet results very soon."

Road transport is a major emitter of CO2, the primary greenhouse gas released through human activities that contributes to global warming and climate change. When charged from a renewable energy source, battery-electric vehicles effectively eliminate tailpipe emissions, but to date have been hampered by their effective range and payload.

In a hydrogen fuel cell, the potential chemical energy of hydrogen is converted into electricity, thereby extending the range of the vehicle far beyond that of today's EV batteries.

The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 concept truck has two fuel cells and a battery, the latter to provide additional power in peak load situations such as when the truck is accelerating or climbing a hill. The truck's electric motors are powered by the fuel cells, which in turn are fed by two 40kg stainless steel tanks of liquid hydrogen.

Daimler says the GenH2 will have similar payload capacities to a traditional heavy-duty truck while having a range of over 1000 kilometres. Another benefit of using hydrogen, meanwhile, is that existing service station infrastructure can be adapted to accommodate hydrogen refuelling relatively quickly.

Daimler and Volvo Group are not the only major truck manufacturers eyeing hydrogen as a viable alternative fuel source. Companies including Scania, Hino, PACCAR (Kenworth) and Hyundai, among others, are all investing in fuel cell research.

The Daimler/Volvo Group joint venture brings together two arch rivals to accelerate their transition to a carbon-neutral future. The move could well pave the way for future cooperation between manufacturers as the race to viable alternative-fuel-powered transport intensifies.