Daimler Buses has begun testing its first hydrogen fuel cell-powered touring coach. The ‘H₂ Coach’, based on the Setra ComfortClass model S 517 HD, has been approved as a technology carrier for road testing and is undergoing trials both on internal test tracks and public roads.
The vehicle measures 13.9 metres in length and has a permissible gross weight of 24.7 tonnes. It features two hydrogen tanks with a combined storage capacity of 46 kilograms and a fuel cell unit supplied by cellcentric, the joint venture between Daimler Truck and the Volvo Group.
The system is derived from the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck and delivers a total output of 300 kW. The generated electrical energy powers a central electric motor rated at 320 kW continuous output and up to 400 kW peak output, with torque figures of 1,368 Nm and 2,470 Nm, respectively. An integrated battery supports energy storage and efficiency optimisation.
On a full tank, the H₂ Coach is expected to cover at least 800 kilometres. Refuelling times are shorter than for comparable battery-electric coaches, making the vehicle suitable for longer inter-city or international services where operational flexibility is required.
The approval of the H₂ Coach as a test vehicle under German road traffic regulations allows Daimler Buses to collect operational data under real-world conditions, supporting the planned introduction of hydrogen-powered coaches into series production in the future.
