Daimler Truck, Rolls-Royce announce cooperation for stationary fuel-cell systems

Source: Xinhua | 2020-05-27

Daimler Truck AG and Rolls-Royce would cooperate on stationary fuel-cell generators as CO2-neutral emergency power generators for safety-critical facilities such as data centers, the companies announced on Tuesday.

The fuel-cell generators were to provide an emission-free alternative to diesel engines, which had been used up to now as emergency power generators or to cover peak loads, according to the companies.

The companies announced that a comprehensive cooperation agreement was to be drawn up and signed by the end of the year.

"For Daimler Truck AG, fuel-cell systems play a decisive role in achieving CO2-neutral transport, as a supplement to battery-electric drive," said Martin Daum, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck AG.

The fuel cells were to be obtained from the planned joint venture between Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group, who had announced their cooperation in April.

According to Daimler, mass production of heavy-duty fuel-cell commercial vehicles for demanding and heavy long-distance haulage would start in the second half of the decade.

Fuel-cell systems for stationary applications, on the other hand, could be mass-produced earlier, "as the specific requirements for use in transport on public roads do not apply."

"With the agreement for stationary fuel-cell systems concluded, we are already demonstrating very concrete opportunities for the commercialization of this technology through the joint venture," said Daum.