MAN hydrogen fuel cell truck trials enter final phase in Bavaria
MAN Truck & Bus has put three hydrogen fuel cell trucks into regular logistics service in Bavaria as the state-funded Bayernflotte research project enters its final phase.
The trucks have been handed over to LoadFox Transport Solutions, MAN's in-house transport and logistics subsidiary, and will run for three months between MAN sites in Munich, Dachau and Nuremberg, as well as on additional routes across southern Germany. MAN describes the trial as one of Germany's most comprehensive demonstrations of hydrogen-powered heavy trucks under real operating conditions.
The 42-tonne vehicles are powered by a 350 kW fuel cell from Bosch, supported by high-voltage batteries that add propulsion at peak loads and recover energy through regenerative braking. Drive comes from a ZF AxTrax 2 dual electric axle. Hydrogen is stored in 700-bar pressure tanks developed by Forvia, holding 36 kg and giving a driving range of roughly 450–500 km.
The Bayernflotte project is backed by around €8.5 million from Bavaria's Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. LoadFox, which specialises in operating prototype and autonomous vehicles, will feed daily operational feedback to MAN's engineers, and the data will be shared across the TRATON Group to support future hydrogen truck development.
MAN continues to invest in hydrogen technology, including the limited-production hTGX hydrogen combustion truck, but maintains that battery-electric drivelines will be the primary zero-emission solution for road freight. The company sees hydrogen as a complement where batteries face limits, such as very long routes or regions with weak charging infrastructure.
The trials come as Germany tightens its hydrogen transport policy: renewable fuel of non-biological origin (RFNBO) mandates require 0.1% of transport energy demand this year, rising to 1.2% by 2030 and 10% by 2040.