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For most of the last century, diesel has been the default answer for heavy trucking. It is energy-dense, familiar, and supported by a massive fueling network.
But that default is breaking.
Along with tougher emissions standards, corporate sustainability targets, and economic considerations, some leading truck makers are exploring the possibility of switching from the traditional drivetrain to Class 8 trucks. While battery electric trucks may work, the applications are limited because of uptime and payload issues in long-haul operations.
However, the latest development suggests a “new hybrid alternative”: hydrogen fuel and other forms of hydrogen power (hydrogen fuel cells, and, perhaps, a hydrogen internal combustion engine in the future). Hydrogen-based powertrain technology offers flexibility for integration into existing commercial fleets in many ways.
In other words, the industry is not just switching fuels. It is switching architectures.
The Big Shift: From “Just Diesel” to Multiple Zero-Emission Pathways
In the trucking world, the drivetrain is only half the battle. Fleets make decisions based on a simple set of constraints:
- Can it run the route reliably, every day?
- How long does refueling or recharging take?
- What does the energy cost look like over time?
- Can my maintenance team support it?
- Is fueling infrastructure available where I operate?
Battery-electric trucks check many boxes for local and regional haul, where vehicles return to base and can charge overnight.
But for long-haul and high-utilization operations, hydrogen is being treated as a practical bridge to zero emissions because it can offer two things fleets care about immediately:
- Longer range than many battery-only configurations
- Faster “refuel” times compared to charging large battery packs
That is why many of the largest OEMs are now investing heavily in hydrogen.
What This “Hybrid Option” Actually Means
When people say “hydrogen trucks,” they often lump two very different technologies together.
1) Hydrogen fuel-cell electric trucks (FCEV)
This is the “hybrid” approach in practice.
The hydrogen fuel cell truck generates electric power from hydrogen fuel to drive its electric motors. The system includes batteries that provide additional power during times of peak demand and when the vehicle needs to stop. The system enables the truck to operate without requiring a complete battery system that would power the entire journey.
Think of it as an electric truck with an onboard power plant.
Tailpipe emissions: water vapor (no CO₂ at the tailpipe)
2) Hydrogen combustion engines (H₂ ICE)
This option replaces diesel with hydrogen in a modified internal combustion engine. The engine still burns fuel and uses much of the mechanical layout the industry already understands.
Advantages: It can be close to a diesel engine in packaging and maintainability, but is not as efficient as a fuel cell since it may generate some NOx; so, it requires aftertreatment and calibration.
Tailpipe Emissions: Tailpipe emissions do not include carbon dioxide, while NOx emissions may be required depending on the design.
Both approaches are being pursued because the industry does not yet have one perfect answer for every route, climate, payload, and duty cycle.
Why Hydrogen Is Suddenly “Real” for Semi-Trucks
Hydrogen has been “the future” for a long time. What changed is that trucking is one of the few sectors where hydrogen’s strengths line up with operational reality.
Longer range without heavy batteries
The fact that long-distance trucks have high energy requirements cannot be ignored. To build a long-distance truck similar to a diesel vehicle, one needs a huge battery to be installed in the truck. Hydrogen trucks offer more opportunities for storing energy as compared to a battery in a lighter form.
Faster refueling than charging
Electric vehicles require a considerable amount of time to fully charge batteries; besides, there is not always a reliable grid. Fuel cell trucks can be fueled similarly to conventional diesel trucks.
Clearer path to zero emissions (with green hydrogen)
Hydrogen’s environmental impact depends on how it’s made:
- Green hydrogen: Made with renewable energy, best for the climate.
- Gray hydrogen: Made from natural gas, more emissions.
- Blue hydrogen: Gray hydrogen plus carbon capture, emissions vary.
The key to real zero-emission trucking is producing and delivering more green hydrogen.
Major OEMs Betting on Hydrogen (And What They Are Doing)
This shift is not coming from small startups alone. Many household-name manufacturers are actively developing, testing, or deploying hydrogen truck programs.
Mercedes-Benz: liquid hydrogen for longer range
Mercedes-Benz is testing trucks that use liquid hydrogen, which can store more energy than compressed gas. This could help trucks drive farther, making hydrogen more practical for long trips.
BMW: fuel-cell testing under Europe’s H2Haul project
BMW is testing hydrogen fuel-cell trucks in Europe through the H2Haul project. These tests focus on using hydrogen trucks in real delivery operations and solving practical challenges like fueling and maintenance.
Hyundai: real deployments with the XCIENT Fuel Cell
Hyundai’s XCIENT Fuel Cell truck is already being used in Europe and South Korea. This shows hydrogen trucks are moving beyond prototypes and are now working in real-world freight operations.
Honda: Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell concept
Honda has built a large Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell truck as a concept. More manufacturers joining this space helps speed up improvements in parts, service, and manufacturing for fuel-cell trucks.
Toyota and Cellcentric: building NextGenH2 momentum
Toyota, along with Cellcentric (a Daimler Truck and Volvo Group joint venture), is pushing forward with new hydrogen truck technology. Hydrogen trucking is becoming a shared effort among many large companies.
Volvo: hydrogen heavy-truck road tests and advanced injection
Volvo Group now develops and tests heavy-duty trucks which use hydrogen fuel from high-pressure injection systems. Volvo will develop operational performance because this factor plays a crucial role in future trucking industry success while the company demonstrates strong commitment to hydrogen technology.
Hydrogen Power: The Future of Zero-Emission Trucking
Hydrogen technology will display its initial flaws while it remains inaccessible at this time. Still, what you should know is that the fact that such automotive industry leaders as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, MAN, and Volvo have decided to invest in this technology shows that they believe in its future potential.
It is not about concepts anymore; instead, it will be all about infrastructure deployment and manufacturing processes.
Ready to embrace the future of zero-emission trucking? Contact 2nd 2 None Truck and Trailer at 334-524-4848 to learn more about our cutting-edge solutions and join the green revolution today!