European Industry Leaders Unveil Plans for Hydrogen Truck Rollout by 2030

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Sept. 15, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- At the IAA Transportation event, a consortium of European industry leaders unveiled plans to accelerate the rollout of hydrogen-powered vehicles across Europe. The partnership, spearheaded by Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, Toyota Motor Corporation, Bosch, Air Liquide, TotalEnergies, TEAL Mobility, and MB Energy, aims to establish a scalable hydrogen truck ecosystem by 2030, with Germany serving as the operational launchpad.

The German ecosystem, supported by the German authorities, has created the necessary conditions for a practical hydrogen truck deployment. This includes the development of infrastructure and the implementation of policies that lower truck costs, reach diesel competitive hydrogen pump prices, and offer operating incentives. According to Claes Eliasson, Head of Media Relations at Volvo Group, these measures are crucial for the widespread adoption of hydrogen trucks by fleet operators.

Daimler Truck, a key player in the initiative, has already driven almost 600,000 kilometers with fuel cell trucks. The company plans to deploy a small series of 100 next-generation fuel cell trucks into customer operations by the end of 2026. Additionally, Daimler Truck is preparing for the market launch of its first hydrogen combustion engine trucks next year. The company's investment in hydrogen trucks is expected to reach mid-three-digit million euros by the end of the decade.

Volvo Group is similarly advancing its hydrogen portfolio, investing significantly in both fuel-cell and hydrogen-combustion trucks for market rollout towards 2030. Toyota will contribute its expertise in fuel cell systems, leveraging over 30 years of experience. Bosch, a key supplier of vehicle components for gaseous hydrogen, is also involved, with its fuel cell system having been proven over more than 30 million kilometers on the road.

On the energy and infrastructure side, Volvo Group and Daimler Truck are collaborating with energy companies and hydrogen suppliers like Air Liquide, TotalEnergies, and MB Energy. These partners are mobilizing their capacities to scale both liquid and gaseous hydrogen supply chains. They are advancing toward large capacity, high-throughput refueling stations capable of refueling up to 100 trucks per day. These stations will leverage synergies with the fast-growing industrial renewable hydrogen production, driven by the implementation of the European RED III directive.

The industry leaders are calling for strategic measures, supported by national governments and the European Commission, to replicate the German model at a continental scale. These measures include scaling infrastructure through synchronized funding calls for refueling stations and vehicles to meet Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) targets. Additionally, the industry is advocating for pragmatic, harmonized renewable fuel credit mechanisms and toll incentives to strengthen the commercial viability of hydrogen. Joint de-risking of the overall value chain, from production and liquefaction to final distribution and vehicle operation, is also a key focus.

The combination of industrial execution and a strong policy framework provides the foundation needed to scale zero-emission godsfreight while reinforcing Europe's industrial competitiveness, energy resilience, and employment. Recent applications under Germany's NOW funding program were oversubscribed, with over 70 high-capacity stations and 800 heavy-duty trucks applied for by industrial companies, confirming strong commercial pull from the logistics sector.

This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards achieving the EU's decarbonization targets, with hydrogen serving as an important complement to battery-electric vehicles. The initiative underscores the commitment of European industry leaders to shape the future landscape of sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions.