LIEBHERR CONSTRUCTION TAKES ON CLEAN TECH, WITH HELP FROM DAIMLER AND MAN
In a landmark collaboration, Liebherr Construction, Daimler Truck, and MAN Truck & Bus are showcasing what the hydrogen-powered jobsite of the future could look like. By integrating hydrogen into both heavy equipment and construction logistics, these three OEM giants are redefining what clean, efficient jobsite operations might become in the next decade.
At Tracey Road Equipment, we’re proud to represent Liebherr Construction Equipment and Daimler/Freightliner Trucks, and we’re watching this initiative closely as it signals where the construction and transport industries are headed—especially in high-demand, emissions-regulated environments.
Liebherr Construction and Trucking OEMs Unite for Zero Emissions
This joint operation was made possible by the Hydrogen Engine Alliance, a cross industry interest group based in Karlsruhe (Germany). Hydrogen plays a decisive role in enabling low emission mobility, particularly for heavy-duty machinery with high energy demands.
The Concept: Hydrogen from Site to Transport
This test project focuses on a real-world hydrogen-powered workflow, featuring:
The Liebherr L 566 H wheel loader, equipped with a hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2 ICE)
The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck from Daimler, powered by hydrogen fuel cells
The MAN hTGX, a heavy-duty long-haul truck running on a hydrogen combustion engine
Together, these three machines form a low-emission construction logistics chain that can move, load, and transport material—all using hydrogen fuel as the common thread.
Liebherr’s L 566 H: A Hydrogen Loader with Diesel-Level Performance
The Liebherr L 566 H marks Liebherr’s first hydrogen-powered construction machine to be publicly demonstrated. Rather than using a battery or fuel cell, it runs on a hydrogen internal combustion engine—preserving the high torque, fast response, and operator familiarity of diesel equipment, but without CO₂ emissions at the tailpipe.
Key benefits include:
Zero carbon emissions during operation
Fast hydrogen refueling, similar to diesel
Minimal compromise in productivity or cycle times
Lower operating noise and cleaner exhaust profile
This makes the L 566 H ideal for infrastructure projects, quarries, and municipal applications where uptime, power, and emissions compliance are all priorities.
Daimler’s GenH2 Truck: Fuel Cell for the Long Haul
Daimler complements the system with the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) engineered for long-haul transport and emission-free performance. It offers:
Over 600 miles of range per tank
Liquid hydrogen storage for improved efficiency
Near-silent operation and low emissions
Refueling in about 15 minutes
Together with MAN and Liebherr, Daimler’s hydrogen solution shows that multiple hydrogen pathways—fuel cell and combustion—can coexist to cover the full spectrum of construction and logistics needs.
MAN hTGX: Hydrogen Combustion Meets Long-Haul Transport
MAN Truck & Bus has brought the hTGX to the pilot site—its latest hydrogen-powered truck, developed for heavy-duty logistics with an internal combustion hydrogen engine.
Unlike fuel cell systems, the MAN hTGX uses existing ICE principles adapted for hydrogen, allowing:
Faster product development
Compatibility with familiar components and service networks
High power and torque for construction material transport
Quick hydrogen refueling and long daily ranges
The MAN hTGX plays a critical role in the concept: moving equipment and materials to and from the jobsite without relying on diesel.
Why Hydrogen? Why Now?
While battery-electric systems are advancing quickly, they’re not always practical for large equipment or long-haul transport due to:
Long charging times
Limited range
Heavy battery weight
Grid dependency
Hydrogen offers:
High energy density for demanding work
Fast refueling and continuous operation
Decarbonization without sacrificing performance
Infrastructure scalability for fleet-wide adoption
This project serves as a proof-of-concept that hydrogen-powered equipment and vehicles can work together in the field, not just in theory.
Tracey Road Equipment: Supporting the Future of Fleet
While hydrogen-powered Liebherr machines aren’t yet commercially available in the U.S., Tracey Road Equipment is committed to tracking these developments and helping our customers understand what’s coming next.
As your trusted source for Liebherr Construction Equipment and Freightliner/Daimler Trucks, we’ll be ready to support your fleet as cleaner, smarter power systems reach the marketplace.