Dachser to Deploy Mercedes-Benz Hydrogen Trucks in December

German logistics company Dachser will become the first customer to operate production Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 hydrogen fuel cell tractors, with three units entering service at its Karlsruhe logistics center in December and two more by mid-2027, according to Daimler Truck. The NextGenH2 represents a key pillar in Daimler Truck's multi-fuel strategy alongside battery-electric and diesel powertrains. The cabover tractors will be used for long-distance freight hauling. The trucks offer a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers on a full tank of liquid hydrogen and can refuel in 10 to 15 minutes using Daimler Truck and Linde's sLH2 refueling technology. Dachser, ranked No. 35 globally among freight companies, already operates more than 190 battery-electric trucks, including Mercedes eActros 600s on which the NextGenH2 is based. The Karlsruhe facility sits about 30 kilometers from Mercedes-Benz's Wörth manufacturing plant, where liquid hydrogen refueling infrastructure will support the trucks. Daimler Truck plans to build 100 NextGenH2 trucks at Wörth by the end of 2026. For fleets facing long-haul routes where charging time is problematic, hydrogen offers faster refueling and comparable range to diesel, though infrastructure and fuel costs remain barriers to wider adoption in North America.