Daimler hydrogen ICE truck to launch in 2027 under Keyou partnership

Germany’s Keyou will convert Daimler internal combustion engines (ICE) trucks to run on hydrogen under a new partnership, which targets the commercial launch of a new hydrogen-fuelled tractor unit in 2027.

The deal will see Keyou purchase Mercedes-Benz tractor units from Daimler and modify them into a 350kW port fuel injection (PFI) truck capable of carrying up to 40 tonnes.

Named the Keyou Hice.40, it is expected to have a range of up to 650km using 350 bar compressed hydrogen.

Daimler claims the truck could be introduced to the market “at scale.”

It comes as Daimler continues to develop cleaner vehicle alternatives to diesel, including battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. following the unveiling of its liquid hydrogen truck.

In early 2025, Keyou delivered an 18-tonne to logistics company EP-Trans, having hydrogen heavy equipment in collaboration with Japan’s Komatsu.

Hydrogen ICEs are positioned as a pragmatic and potentially cheaper way to introduce zero-carbon fuels, due to the ability to use existing engine manufacturing and expertise.

However, when combusted, hydrogen still produces nitrogen oxides, meaning they are not considered zero-emission and often are ineligible for subsidies and tax cuts extended to battery and fuel cell variants.

Last October, hydrogen trucking group EU policymakers to treat hydrogen ICE vehicles the same as zero-emission alternatives.