Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group have officially outlined a pioneering roadmap for their new fuel-cell joint venture, cellcentric. The move is part of an industry-first commitment to accelerate the use of hydrogen-based fuel cells for long-haul trucks and other commercial applications.
Cellcentric will build one of Europe’s largest fuel-cell series production systems, with operation planned to start in 2025. More details and a decision on the location of the facility will be revealed over the course of 2022.
According to Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group, battery-electric and hydrogen-based fuel-cell trucks will complement each other depending on the type of use. Battery power will be mainly used for lower cargo weights and shorter distances, while fuel-cell power will tend to be the preferred option for heavier loads and longer distances.
Martin Daum, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck AG and Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG said, “Hydrogen-powered fuel-cell electric trucks will be key for enabling CO2-neutral transportation in the future. Battery-electric trucks alone will not make this possible. Together with our partner Volvo Group, we are therefore fully committed to our fuel-cell joint venture cellcentric and we are both pushing forward the development of the technology as well as the series production preparations. Regarding the necessary hydrogen infrastructure, it is clear that green hydrogen is the only sensible way forward in the long term.”
Martin Lundstedt, CEO of Volvo Group said, “Our united ambition is to meet the targets in the Paris agreement of becoming CO2-neutral by 2050 at the latest. We are convinced that hydrogen fuel-cell technology plays an essential role in helping us reach that milestone. But we know there is so much more to achieve than just the electrification of machines and vehicles. There needs to be greater cooperation between public and private stakeholders to develop the necessary technology and infrastructure, which is why we are calling for united action from policymakers and governments around the world in helping us make hydrogen fuel-cell technology a success. Partnerships like cellcentric are vital to our commitment to decarbonising road transport.”
Daimler and Volvo, along with other major European truck manufacturers, are calling for the roll-out of around 300 high-performance hydrogen refuelling stations suitable for heavy-duty vehicles across Europe by 2025 and of around 1,000 hydrogen refuelling stations no later than 2030. This joint initiative, using hydrogen as a carrier of green electricity to power electric trucks in long-haul operations, looks set to play an important part in decarbonising road transport in the future.
Photo: Cellcentric twin-fuel-cell system for heavy-duty applications