Hydrogen Combustion Engines in Heavy-Duty Transport: Daimler Truck and KEYOU Launch Cooperation for Truck Market Entry in 2027
Leinfelden-Echterdingen – Decarbonizing heavy-duty transport requires more than a single powertrain technology. Daimler Truck is now also betting on the hydrogen combustion engine and has signed a cooperation agreement with Munich-based specialist KEYOU to that end.
Hydrogen Combustion Engine as the Third Pillar of Daimler Truck's Decarbonization Strategy
Daimler Truck's approach to decarbonizing heavy-duty transport centers on battery-electric and hydrogen-based powertrains – the latter now encompassing both the fuel cell and the hydrogen combustion engine. Battery-electric trucks are particularly well-suited for predictable routes, while the fuel cell, in combination with liquid hydrogen, offers advantages for flexible long-haul operations with ranges well in excess of 1,000 kilometers.
The hydrogen combustion engine complements this portfolio: according to Daimler Truck, it is characterized by high robustness, lower system complexity compared to the fuel cell, and minimal adaptation requirements for existing vehicle architectures. It is also especially suitable for applications with high payload demands. Andreas Gorbach, Board Member of Daimler Truck, explained the rationale: "Hydrogen can be used to power both fuel cells and internal combustion engines. By working with KEYOU, we are partnering with a specialized company to bring hydrogen combustion technology to market quickly and efficiently."
KEYOU HICE.40: Truck Tractor Market Launch Planned for 2027
The first vehicle to emerge from the cooperation will be the KEYOU HICE.40 truck tractor. Its technical foundation is a Mercedes-Benz Actros L 1848, paired with an engine manufactured in Mannheim based on the existing 12.8-liter engine platform, which KEYOU is adapting for hydrogen operation.
The truck tractor is designed for a gross vehicle weight of 40 tonnes and, thanks to 350-bar compressed hydrogen technology, is expected to achieve a range of up to 650 kilometers. With an output of up to 350 kW and a port fuel injection system, it is set for a scalable market rollout from late 2027.
Looking ahead, the technology can be transferred to additional vehicle model lines. Thomas Korn, CEO and Co-Founder of KEYOU, commented: "The partnership with Daimler Truck is an important step for us to bring our KEYOU-inside technology into industrial application. Together, we can significantly accelerate the development and scaling of hydrogen-based drive solutions in the commercial vehicle sector and thus make a tangible contribution to decarbonizing heavy-duty transport."
Partnership Intended to Go Beyond Technology Cooperation
The collaboration is designed as a long-term arrangement and is intended to extend beyond a purely technological partnership. Both companies are planning discussions on how Daimler Truck's existing service and maintenance infrastructure could be leveraged in the future to guarantee operational reliability and availability for fleet operators. KEYOU intends to offer the vehicles to customers – and potentially in combination with hydrogen refueling infrastructure, supported in part by funding programs from the Federal Ministry of Transport. Daimler Truck is supporting the development of hydrogen filling stations capable of dispensing both gaseous and liquid hydrogen.
The cooperation between Daimler Truck and KEYOU illustrates how established commercial vehicle manufacturers can tap into the hydrogen combustion engine as a complementary technology alongside battery and fuel cell powertrains – building on proven vehicle platforms with the aim of achieving rapid market readiness.
Source: IWR Online, 23 Jun 2026
