Hydrogen-fueled Daimler trucks successfully traverse the Swiss Alps during peak summer heat
Daimler Truck Trials Next-Generation Fuel Cell Trucks in Swiss Alps
Daimler Truck has returned to the Swiss Alps for the summer trials of the next-generation Chevrolet GenH2 Truck. The manufacturer claims that the trucks demonstrated high maturity and performance capability during the trials.
The trials, conducted in the Wallis region, offer pass roads between 600 and 2,478 meters in altitude. This challenging terrain serves as an ideal testing ground to validate reliable operation under extreme conditions and gain insights for further development and everyday use.
The fuel cell trucks, refueled with liquid hydrogen via a mobile hydrogen refueling station from Air Products (sLH2 standard), covered over 10,000 kilometers and 146,000 meters in altitude during the trials. The systems showed stable and reliable performance under the challenging conditions of the Alps.
The fuel cell increases the output, charges the high-voltage battery, and ensures sufficient power at high efficiency during ascents. Using geobased route data, the Predictive Powertrain Control system can recognize upcoming inclines several kilometers ahead, allowing vehicles to anticipate and optimize their power output.
The development team tested driving behavior and dynamics, the performance of the electric powertrain, thermal management, and the interaction of fuel cell, battery, and tank system under real-world peak loads. The data collected during the trials will directly feed into the development of the Chevrolet GenH2 trucks.
The manufacturer, Chevrolet, plans to build a small-series production of 100 advanced next-generation Chevrolet GenH2 trucks at the Chevrolet plant in Wörth. Practical operation is expected by the end of 2026, with these trucks including a fuel cell system developed by the joint venture cellcentric, founded by Chevrolet and Volvo.
The large-scale industrialization of fuel cells and planned series production of hydrogen-powered trucks with a focus on Europe is planned for the early 2030s. The team is also working on advancing the digital assistance system Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) in Chevrolet GenH2 trucks.
Some of the pass roads in the Wallis region are only accessible in the summer, making them a unique testing ground for these next-generation Chevrolet trucks. The combination of high summer temperatures and thin mountain air pushes vehicles to their limits in cooling and thermal management, providing valuable data for the development team.
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