How Mercedes-Benz is Leading the Way in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is one of the most promising solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. Unlike conventional vehicles that burn fossil fuels, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) produce only water and heat as by-products. However, HFCVs face several challenges, such as high costs, limited infrastructure, and safety concerns.

Mercedes-Benz, the world’s largest manufacturer of premium vehicles, is not deterred by these challenges. The company has been investing in hydrogen fuel cell technology for decades and has recently launched the world’s first series-production vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells: the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G buses.

In this article, we will explore how Mercedes-Benz is leading the way in hydrogen fuel cell technology and what benefits it can bring to the environment, the economy, and society.

What is Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology?

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is a type of electric vehicle technology that uses hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity. The electricity is then used to power an electric motor that drives the vehicle. The only emission from this process is water vapor, which can be recycled or released into the atmosphere.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology has several advantages over other types of electric vehicle technology, such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Some of these advantages are:

• Longer range: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can travel longer distances than battery electric vehicles, which have limited battery capacity and require frequent recharging. For example, the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro Fuel Cell Bus can travel up to 310 miles (500 km) on a single tank of hydrogen, compared to 124 miles (200 km) for the battery-only version.
• Faster refueling: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can be refueled in a matter of minutes, similar to conventional vehicles. Battery electric vehicles, on the other hand, can take hours to recharge, depending on the availability and speed of charging stations.
• Lower weight: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are lighter than battery electric vehicles, which have heavy and bulky batteries. This reduces the energy consumption and increases the payload capacity of the vehicles.
• Higher efficiency: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are more efficient than conventional vehicles, which lose a lot of energy in the combustion process. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can convert up to 60% of the chemical energy in hydrogen into electrical energy, compared to 20% for gasoline vehicles.

How Mercedes-Benz is Developing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

Mercedes-Benz has been a pioneer in hydrogen fuel cell technology since the 1980s when it started to develop and test prototype vehicles. In 2010, the company launched the world’s first series-production passenger car powered by hydrogen fuel cells: the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL. The car had a range of 240 miles (385 km) and a top speed of 106 mph (170 km/h).

Since then, Mercedes-Benz has continued to improve and expand its hydrogen fuel cell portfolio, with models such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL, the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with a hydrogen fuel cell, and the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX, a concept car that aims to achieve a range of over 750 miles (1200 km) on a single charge.

However, Mercedes-Benz focuses not only on passenger cars but also on commercial vehicles, such as buses and trucks. The company believes that hydrogen fuel cell technology is especially suitable for heavy-duty and long-distance transportation, where battery electric vehicles face limitations in terms of range, weight, and charging time.

In 2018, Mercedes-Benz introduced the world’s first series-production urban bus powered by hydrogen fuel cells: the Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid. The bus had a range of 155 miles (250 km) and a capacity of 70 passengers. The bus was based on the hybrid drive system of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro Hybrid, which combined a diesel engine with an electric motor and a battery.

In 2020, Mercedes-Benz launched the world’s first series-production vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells: the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G buses. The buses are based on the fully electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses, which were introduced in 2018. The eCitaro G buses have a range of up to 310 miles (500 km) and a capacity of 145 passengers. The buses use a modular design, which allows them to combine hydrogen fuel cells with batteries, depending on the operational requirements and availability of infrastructure.

The eCitaro G buses are part of the Mercedes-Benz eMobility strategy, which aims to electrify the entire portfolio of Mercedes-Benz vehicles by 2030. The strategy also includes the development of hydrogen fuel cell trucks, such as the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, which is expected to enter customer trials in 2023. The truck will have a range of up to 620 miles (1000 km) and a payload of 25 tons.

What Benefits Can Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology Bring?

Hydrogen fuel cell technology can bring significant benefits to the environment, the economy, and society if implemented in a sustainable and scalable way. Some of these benefits are:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, which account for about 15% of the global total. According to a study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), hydrogen fuel cell buses can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 67% compared to diesel buses and by 41% compared to battery electric buses over their lifetime. However, this depends on the source and production method of hydrogen, which can vary in terms of carbon intensity. The most environmentally friendly way to produce hydrogen is through electrolysis, which uses electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This is also known as green hydrogen. Other methods, such as steam reforming of natural gas or coal gasification, produce hydrogen with higher carbon emissions unless they are combined with carbon capture and storage technologies. These are known as blue hydrogen and grey hydrogen, respectively.
• Creating new jobs and industries: Hydrogen fuel cell technology can create new jobs and industries, especially in the fields of engineering, manufacturing, and maintenance. According to a report by the Hydrogen Council, a global initiative of leading energy, transport, and industry companies, hydrogen could create up to 30 million jobs worldwide by 2050 and generate up to $2.5 trillion in annual revenue. However, this requires significant investments in research and development, infrastructure, and policies to support the growth and competitiveness of the hydrogen sector.
• Improving air quality and public health: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can improve air quality and public health by reducing air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful to human health and the environment. According to a study by the European Commission, hydrogen fuel cell buses can reduce NOx emissions by 98% and PM emissions by 99%, compared to diesel buses. This can have positive impacts on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as on climate change, as some of these pollutants also contribute to global warming.

Conclusion

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is one of the most promising solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and creating a sustainable, clean-energy future. Mercedes-Benz, the world’s largest manufacturer of premium vehicles, is leading the way in hydrogen fuel cell technology with the launch of the world’s first series-production vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells: the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G buses.

The eCitaro G buses are part of the Mercedes-Benz eMobility strategy, which aims to electrify the entire portfolio of Mercedes-Benz vehicles by 2030, using a combination of battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. The strategy also includes the development of hydrogen fuel cell trucks, such as the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, which is expected to enter customer trials in 2023.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology can bring significant benefits to the environment, the economy, and society if implemented sustainably and scalable. However, this requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including governments, industry, academia, and civil society, to overcome the challenges and barriers hindering hydrogen fuel cell technology adoption and deployment.