Daimler Truck to shift spending to battery, hydrogen rigs

Daimler Truck says it's all in for a zero emission future

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Daimler's truck and bus division says it plans to shift most of its vehicle development resources to zero-emission vehicles by 2025 and predicts that battery and hydrogen-powered trucks could be competitive with diesels on cost later this decade. Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum on Thursday underlined the company's big plans for hydrogen — even though the technology is not as close to practical use as batteries. The world's largest truck and bus maker, with brands including Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz, outlined its strategy for a wide-ranging transition away from internal combustion vehicles after it is spun off as an independent company later this year from Daimler AG. Chief Technology Officer Andreas Gorbach, said the company would spend the “vast majority” of vehicle development money on battery and hydrogen vehicles by 2025. He predicted that the cost of such vehicles would fall to parity with diesels sometime after 2025 for battery vehicles and after 2027 for hydrogen fuel-cell trucks. A key obstacle remains infrastructure for fueling and charging, which remains “in its infancy and developing at different speeds around the world," he said.