Photos: Mercedes unveils hydrogen truck that can drive 621 miles on single refuel

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled its NextGenH2 hydrogen-powered long-haul truck, marking a significant advancement toward zero-emission freight transport. Production of a limited initial batch of 100 units is planned to begin by the end of 2026 at the Wörth plant in Germany. These trucks are designed for demanding, long-distance freight routes where range and downtime are critical, moving beyond prototype testing to real-world operational use. The NextGenH2 builds on insights from earlier GenH2 prototypes, focusing on reliability, efficiency, and serviceability optimized for commercial long-haul applications. The truck features a fuel cell system composed of two BZA150 units developed by cellcentric, delivering continuous power of 402 horsepower with peaks up to 496 horsepower. It integrates a 101 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery that captures regenerative energy to improve efficiency and power delivery. Hydrogen is stored as liquid at -423°F in two tanks holding 187 pounds, enabling a driving range of approximately 621 miles