Daimler Truck has teamed up with Air Products, Amazon, Holcim, INEOS and Wiedmann & Winz to initial customer trials with five Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks. 

As one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers with a commitment to COP28 in terms of sustainable transportation, the commercial vehicle major has initiated the initial customer trials of its GenH2 trucks on the basis of its belief that hydrogen-based drive technologies can be an optimal solution for very flexible and highly demanding applications in particular. Applications that are heavy-duty in nature and of the long-distance haulage kind.

Daimler Truck has moved to the initial customer trails after a rigorous testing phase on the test track and public roads of the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks. In an advanced development stage for deployment, the trucks – five semi-trailer tractors – are based on the characteristics of the conventional Mercedes-Benz Actros long-haul truck in terms of payload, range and performance.

Offering a payload of approximately 25 tonnes at a gross combination weight (GCW) of 40 tonnes, the hydrogen powered trucks are fitted with two special liquid hydrogen tanks and a powerful fuel-cell system by cellcentric, the Joint Venture of Daimler Truck and Volvo Group. 

The fuel-cell system of the GenH2 Truck delivers 402 hp (2 x150 kW) whereas the battery provides an additional 536 hp (400 kW) temporarily. The storage capacity of the battery is low at 70 kWh since it is not intended to meet energy needs. It is mainly there on the truck to provide situational power support for the fuel cell during peak loads, for example, where additional power may be need to accelerate and drive uphill under full load. 

The smaller and lighter battery not only facilitates a higher payload capacity, it is recharged with braking energy and excess fuel-cell energy. 

The core element of the sophisticated operating strategy of the fuel-cell and battery system is a cooling and heating system that keeps all components at a suitable operating temperature, ensuring maximum durability. In a pre-series version, the two electric motors are designed for a total of 2 x 308 hp (230 kW) continuous power output and 2 x (442 hp) 330 kW of maximum power. The torque the GenH2 Truck delivers is 2 x 1,577 Nm or 2 x 2,071 Nm. 

The two stainless-steel liquid-hydrogen tanks of the GenH2 Truck have a particularly high storage capacity of 88 kilograms (44 kg each). Consisting of two tubes, one within the other, that are vacuum isolated and connected to each other, the tanks store liquid hydrogen since the energy density is high. The earlier trails conducted by Daimler Truck have revealed that the H2 truck can travel up to 1,047 km with one tank full of the respective fuel. 

Martin Daum, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck, mentioned at the time of start of the trial in Woerth am Rhein where Daimler Truck has a truck test and development centre, “When it comes to decarbonizing transport, we are focusing on battery-electric and hydrogen-based drives. The transformation can only succeed if green energy is sufficiently and comprehensively available – and for this we need both technologies. With regard to hydrogen drives, we are now taking another important step towards series readiness: we are starting the trials of our Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks in real-life daily transport operations with our customers. However, it is important to note that high-performance CO₂-neutral vehicles alone will not be enough to make sustainable transportation successful. This also requires a corresponding charging and refueling infrastructure, as well as cost parity with conventional vehicles. Although policymakers and energy companies are already active here, we urgently need even more momentum, across entire Europe.”

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Bombay Logistics has flagged off a fleet of liquefied natural gas heavy-duty trucks manufactured by Blue Energy Motors for commercial operations in Karnataka. The vehicles will operate in the Toranagallu region to support industrial freight transport for JSW Steel.

The LNG trucks are said to offer up to 20 percent higher fuel efficiency compared to conventional fuel equivalents, reducing carbon intensity across long-haul freight operations.

Thimmaraj Kakarla, Managing Partner, Bombay Logistics, said, “For us, the move to LNG is about finding a practical solution that works on the road and makes commercial sense. The performance and fuel efficiency of the Blue Energy Motors trucks were important considerations, while the Blue Energy Motors team’s support throughout the deployment, from vehicle handover and route planning to on-ground assistance, made the transition seamless. As these trucks begin operations for JSW Steel, we see this as a meaningful step towards improving operating efficiency while reducing the carbon footprint of our freight movement.”

Anand Mimani, CEO of EV and New Energy, Blue Energy Motors, said, “We are pleased to support Bombay Logistics in deploying our LNG trucks for demanding industrial operations. For us, the priority is simple: deliver the performance and reliability the customer needs while making the shift to cleaner freight practical.”

At present, Blue Energy Motors maintains an operational fleet of over 1,400 alternative-fuel trucks across Indian freight corridors. The company says these vehicles have recorded over 100 million kilometres and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than 30,000 tonnes.

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Ashok Leyland’s battery pack manufacturing plans are designed to boost vehicle integration and open new revenue streams, not just cut costs or meet local-sourcing rules, said Chief Executive Officer Shenu Agarwal during the company’s Q1 FY27 financial results announcement.

The Hinduja Group-controlled truckmaker is building a battery pack plant in Tamil Nadu, with production slated to start in 2027. The facility, located in the SIPCOT Pillaipakkam Industrial Park near Chennai, forms the first phase of a broader INR 75 billion commitment by the group.

Speaking to Motoring Trends on the same, Agarwal's said, “Don't look at the battery pack business just from a cost perspective or localisation perspective. The company will meet local-content requirements to the extent that we can make it more efficient.”

He added that the company is designing its own battery packs and battery management systems in-house, which will let the company integrate it better into its vehicles and create a total cost of ownership advantage for the customer.

The strategy also extends beyond Ashok Leyland's own line-up. “We are also evaluating how to supply the solutions to other automotive players,” Agarwal said, while pointing to rising demand for battery energy storage systems as a separate growth avenue.

“This battery pack business has multiple dimensions,” he noted, adding that the initiative is meant to enhance value for truck and bus customers rather than serve as a narrow cost play.

Earnings call

Ashok Leyland posted a record first quarter with strong domestic commercial-vehicle demand helping the automaker withstand disruptions in international markets and broader geo-political uncertainty.

The company achieved its highest-ever first-quarter revenue, profit before tax and net profit, while its cash position improved by INR 14.31 billion from a year earlier, net of dividend, capital expenditure and investments in group companies, Executive Chairman Dheeraj Hinduja said.

“The business environment tested the robustness of our processes and resilience of our teams and partners. Ashok Leyland has come out stronger, achieving new peaks,” Hinduja said.

Domestic commercial-vehicle industry volumes grew in double digits during the quarter with Ashok Leyland's medium and heavy commercial vehicle truck volumes rising 15 percent from a year earlier.

Domestic light commercial vehicle volumes reached a record 18,874 units, while the company’s overall commercial-vehicle volumes increased 10 percent year-on-year, Hinduja said.

The company also maintained its 14th consecutive quarter of double-digit EBITDA margin underscoring its focus on profitable growth, he said.

Non-commercial vehicle businesses including aftermarket, engines and defence also reported healthy performance, Hinduja said. The company continued to invest in products and manufacturing capabilities including the launch of multi-axle trucks equipped with air suspension, which offers higher payload and lower TCO.

Ashok Leyland also launched a 12-meter fuel-cell bus, which Hinduja described as an industry first.

Its electric mobility subsidiary Switch India recently secured an order for 650 electric buses, while the group’s financing businesses, Hinduja Leyland Finance and Hinduja Finance, reported assets-under-management growth of 20 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

The company remains cautious about global uncertainties but is confident of navigating them on the back of the stronger foundation built in recent years, Hinduja said.

“It was satisfying to see the company deliver in the face of challenges presented by global uncertainties. Our performance demonstrated that the business model we have developed can absorb shocks,” he said.

“We remain cautious of global uncertainties but we are confident of navigating these based on the strong foundation we have built over the last few years,” Hinduja added.

The comments come as Ashok Leyland's international commercial-vehicle volumes fell to 2,461 units in the first quarter from 3,011 a year earlier, primarily because of the crisis in West Asia. Growth in South Asia and Africa partly offset the decline with the company seeing stronger momentum from June.

Hinduja said the company’s domestic performance demonstrates the strength of India's commercial-vehicle market and gives it confidence in its ability to sustain growth despite external volatility.

Ashok Leyland’s battery strategy comes as the company strengthens its portfolio amid robust domestic demand and global uncertainty. By developing battery packs and management systems in-house, the automaker aims to capture more value across the electric-vehicle ecosystem, while exploring external customers and energy-storage applications as additional growth opportunities beyond its core vehicle business.

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Mahindra Truck and Bus, a division of the Mahindra Group, has introduced the Mahindra Blazo i-TRK heavy commercial vehicle range in India.

The vehicle range features Mahindra's 320hp mPOWER engine and the iMAXX 2.0 fleet telematics platform.

The company says the new Blazo i-TRK delivers up to 10 percent higher fuel efficiency compared to previous models. Mahindra has also introduced a 48-hour uptime guarantee for the vehicle range, offering a compensation scheme of INR 10,000 per day in cases where service timelines are not met.

The telematics platform connects vehicle systems to provide fleet operators with operational data, remote monitoring capabilities and maintenance management tools. The integration of connected vehicle technology is intended to support freight movement and fleet productivity across Indian transport routes.

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Eicher Trucks & Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), has inaugurated its 11^th Regional Competence Development Centre (RCDC) at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology (DCRUST) in Murthal, Haryana. The facility was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini.

The centre was established in collaboration with DCRUST to provide technical instruction and skill training in commercial vehicle technologies. It covers 7,900 square feet and contains classrooms, workshops, vehicle practice bays, diagnostic tools and training platforms for light, medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. It features dynamic driveline models, engine sections, electrical laboratories, a vehicle inspection pit and VECV's mobile training unit.

S S Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “We are grateful to the Chief Minister of Haryana Nayab Singh Saini, the Government of Haryana and our partner, DCRUST, for their support in making this Regional Competence Development Centre a reality. At Eicher, we believe the future of the commercial vehicle industry will be shaped as much by skilled people as by advanced technologies. Through this collaboration, we are creating a strong foundation for future-ready talent and contributing to a resilient mobility ecosystem.”

Sumit Dewan, Senior Vice-President, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, "Through our partnership with DCRUST, we are creating a platform that enables students, faculty and dealership professionals to gain hands-on exposure to advanced commercial vehicle technologies and evolving industry practices. Students from the centre will have the opportunity to serve in their communities through Eicher’s nationwide network of dealerships across Delhi-NCR, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. The centre will strengthen technical capability across our service network, enhancing customer experience through improved vehicle uptime and operational efficiency.”

The curriculum covers areas including electric vehicles, mechatronics, powertrains, automated transmissions, vehicle electronics, diagnostics, telematics, emission control systems, driver assistance systems and alternative fuels such as CNG and LNG.

The Murthal facility will support the training needs of nearly 50 dealerships across Delhi-NCR, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. Approximately 150 engineering students from DCRUST will use the facility annually, while the mobile training initiative is expected to reach 600 students per year across technical institutions in the region.

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