IAV and DEUTZ are Bringing Hydrogen-powered Trucks on the Road
Cologne, March 27, 2026 – From test bench to logistics operations: With the handover of two hydrogen-powered trucks as part of the HyCET project, IAV and DEUTZ are marking a major milestone for sustainable heavy-duty transport. The vehicles are leaving the test environment and entering daily operations in the internal logistics of DEUTZ and BMW. This demonstrates that hydrogen combustion is no longer a concept, it is industrial reality.
H2-Technology Proven in Real-World Operation
The HyCET (Hydrogen Combustion Engine Trucks) project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV), has a clear objective: establishing hydrogen combustion as a robust solution for heavy-duty freight transport. At the core of the project are two 18-ton trucks based on the Daimler Econic platform, equipped with advanced hydrogen engines from DEUTZ. Together with partners Paul Nutzfahrzeuge and Voith, IAV demonstrates that hydrogen propulsion is ready to meet the demanding requirements of daily logistics operations.
As the general contractor, IAV served as the technological backbone of the project. The key challenge was comprehensive system integration:
- Powertrain transformation: Conversion to highly efficient hydrogen combustion
- Complex integration: Implementation of the tank system and coordination of all components
- Safety & certification: Full validation and securing official road approval
IAV ensured that high-tech individual components were transformed into a reliable overall vehicle capable of performing under real-world conditions.
Jörg Astalosch, CEO, IAV, Rethinking Propulsion – Acting Systemically, said:
We see ourselves as a Tech Solution Provider that delivers exactly the solutions our customers need – regardless of the propulsion technology.
”HyCET shows how we can bring new powertrain concepts from idea to application. The fact that these vehicles are now approved and operating on public roads is a testament to the strong integration capabilities of our powertrain team.” –
The success of HyCET highlights that modern propulsion technologies only work as part of a broader system. Vehicles, refueling infrastructure, and operational use cases must be closely aligned.
IAV leverages decades of experience in powertrain development and combines it with system-level understanding and software expertise. The result is not a standalone solution, but a functional ecosystem for heavy-duty transport.
– Bert van Hasselt, CEO Business Unit NewTech, DEUTZ, said:
With deployment in our own internal logistics, we are taking the decisive step from development to real-world application.
”What matters to us is reliability in day-to-day operations while reducing CO₂ emissions. HyCET proves that hydrogen combustion is a powerful and practical solution for the logistics of tomorrow.”
A Strong Signal for Heavy-Duty Transport
Hydrogen combustion engines are an ideal complement to battery-electric and fuel cell technologies – especially in applications requiring high payloads and fast refueling.
Classified as zero-emission vehicles, they can play a key role in meeting future CO₂ regulations. With the start of real-world operations at DEUTZ and BMW, IAV once again demonstrates its role as an enabler of future-proof mobility.
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
IAV and DEUTZ are Bringing Hydrogen-powered Trucks on the Road, source
