At the IAA Transportation trade fair, eight companies from the automotive, energy, and infrastructure sectors presented their plans for a scalable deployment of hydrogen trucks in Europe by 2030. Participants include Bosch, Daimler Truck, the Volvo Group, Toyota, Air Liquide, TotalEnergies, TEAL Mobility, and MB Energy. According to the companies, the German ecosystem is creating the conditions for a broad market ramp-up for the first time in Europe. The German model could serve as a blueprint for other countries.
The participating companies see hydrogen as a complement to battery-electric drives. This is particularly true for transport operations with long ranges, high payloads, short refueling times, and high flexibility requirements.
Manufacturers plan small series and invest hundreds of millions
According to Daimler Truck, it has already covered almost 600,000 kilometers with fuel cell trucks in customer operations. From the end of 2026, the manufacturer plans a small series of 100 next-generation fuel cell trucks. Simultaneously, the company is preparing to launch the first trucks with hydrogen combustion engines next year. By the end of the decade, Daimler Truck intends to invest a mid-three-digit million amount in hydrogen trucks.
The Volvo Group is also advancing its hydrogen portfolio and is investing significant sums in hydrogen drives for market introduction by 2030. The portfolio includes both fuel cell trucks and trucks with hydrogen combustion engines. Toyota is contributing as a technology partner and points to more than 30 years of experience in developing fuel cell systems. Bosch supplies vehicle components for gaseous hydrogen as well as refueling technologies for liquid and gaseous hydrogen. According to the company, Bosch's fuel cell system has already covered more than 30 million kilometers in road operation.
Stations planned for up to 100 trucks per day
On the energy and infrastructure side, the Volvo Group and Daimler Truck are collaborating with Air Liquide, TotalEnergies, and MB Energy. MB Energy and TEAL Mobility are involved as filling station operators. TEAL Mobility is a 50:50 joint venture of TotalEnergies and Air Liquide, operating under the TotalEnergies brand. The companies aim to scale the supply chains for liquid and gaseous hydrogen. Planned are high-capacity filling stations capable of refueling up to 100 trucks per day. Synergies with the industrial production of renewable hydrogen, supported by the European RED-III regulation, are to be utilized.
Three levers for competitive costs compared to diesel
For fleet operators, competitive costs compared to diesel are crucial. The participating companies cite three key levers: reducing vehicle costs through subsidies and series production, a competitive hydrogen price at the pump through a more efficient supply chain and greenhouse gas quotas, and incentives such as toll exemptions for CO2-free vehicles.
As evidence of demand, the companies point to the German NOW funding program, which was significantly oversubscribed. Industrial companies applied for more than 70 high-performance filling stations and 800 heavy commercial vehicles.
Demands on Brussels and national governments
The companies are calling on national governments and the European Commission for strategic measures to establish the German model across Europe. This includes expanding infrastructure through coordinated funding programs to achieve the goals of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). Also demanded are harmonized crediting mechanisms for renewable fuels, toll incentives, and joint risk minimization along the entire value chain—from production and liquefaction to distribution and vehicle operation.
