Defining the new fuel cell standard in heavy-duty applications: cellcentric unveils BZA375

Kirchheim/Teck – BZA375 illustrates how fuel cell systems can be optimized for the demands of heavy-duty trucks and further applications with comparable requirements. In less than three years, BZA375 was developed through a combination of innovative solutions, continuous improvement and a solid understanding of customer requirements. Developed to OEM performance and quality requirements, BZA375 is engineered to compete with modern diesel engines in demanding applications.

At the heart of the BZA375 development is a clear focus on optimizing total cost of ownership (TCO) – the decisive factor influencing customers’ purchasing decisions in heavy-duty markets. BZA375 pushes the boundaries of fuel-cell technology and is optimized for this purpose.

“BZA375 is custom tailored for the needs of heavy-duty, long-haul trucks and an excellent fit in other applications with comparable requirements. At cellcentric, we are deliberately set up as an independent Tier 1 supplier and open to partnering with any OEMs that are driving the decarbonization of their portfolios,” says Nicholas Loughlan, CTO of cellcentric.

“Two key technologies will lead the way on our path to decarbonize transport: battery-electric and hydrogen. We’ve already taken important steps, and cellentric’s new fuel cell system is the next major milestone. Building on the success of its predecessor, it represents a new level of efficiency and performance,” says Karin Rådström, President and CEO of Daimler Truck AG.

“With the launch of the BZA375, cellcentric and its partners have created the blueprint for zero-emission long-haul transportation in the heavy-duty segment. This is a game changer for logistics providers and society at large, and it takes us yet another step towards the decarbonization of the industry,” says Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO of Volvo Group.

BZA375 key performance figures at a glance:

• Up to 375 kW continuous net power – more than 500 horsepower – out of a single-system package
• 20% less fuel consumption vs. the previous cellcentric fuel cell system BZA150, enabling a fully loaded 40-ton truck to operate on less than 6 kg of hydrogen per 100 kilometers under real-world driving conditions
• 40% reduction of waste heat at 300 kW net power vs. BZA150, enabling significantly more compact and cost-effective cooling systems
• 40% higher power density vs. BZA150 – further facilitating integration into existing vehicle architectures, designed to fit into engine compartments originally developed for conventional 13-liter diesel engines
• 40% reduction in complexity vs. BZA150, thanks to a significant reduction in components and interfaces
• Less than 500 kg weight, allowing payload levels to be maintained at levels customers expect from proven diesel technology

BZA375’s single-system design enables the transition away from the “twin-system” approach so far applied for BZA150 in the heavy-duty truck target application. This design reduces complexity, enables easy incorporation into existing vehicle platforms designed for diesel powertrains, and allows for a more compact, cost-effective integration for cellcentric’s OEM customers.

All these advancements were achieved while maintaining the high durability level that already characterized BZA150: a service life of 25,000 hours – equivalent to a 10-year service life in a heavy-duty truck, comparable to modern diesel engines.

Prototype production of BZA375 has already begun. First prototypes have been undergoing rigorous performance and durability testing for months and are now available to cellcentric’s customers for their own testing and validation activities. Prior to series production, larger volumes of mature prototype systems will already be available to customers for testing, validation and initial fleet applications. Series production is being prepared for the turn of the decade.

One product, various heavy-duty applications: BZA375 goes beyond the truck

With the launch of BZA375, cellcentric presents its fuel cell system not only as a solution for heavy-duty long-haul trucks. While primarily designed and optimized for heavy-duty long-haul trucks, the system is also suited for a broad range of further demanding use cases with comparable requirements: coaches, stationary power generation, rail and mining.

BZA375’s competitive specifications allow cellcentric to further pursue a one-product strategy by enabling the use of a single system across this wide range of applications, creating significant economies of scale and a sizable potential for further cost reduction in fuel-cell technology.

With BZA375, cellcentric, as a Tier 1 supplier, moves from promise to advanced product reality. It is a single, powerful system built on proven cellcentric fuel cell expertise that is ready for integration into validation and industrialization programs – not just in long-haul trucks it was designed for, but wherever heavy-duty work demands zero-emission performance at scale.

From the highway to the mine, from the rail track to the power grid: BZA375 starts now.

BZA375 target applications

BZA375 is designed for heavy-duty applications with comparable operational requirements – wherever high performance, long operating times and maximum efficiency are essential. While long-haul trucking is its primary use case, the system is equally suited for a broad range of demanding applications, including coaches, rail, mining and stationary power generation. As hydrogen infrastructure continues to develop, this cross-application approach enables cellcentric’s one-product strategy, unlocking economies of scale and accelerating the industrialization of fuel cell technology.

Heavy-Duty Trucks

Long-haul trucking is where fuel-cell technology proves its full strength. Vehicle operators require long range, maximum flexibility and minimal downtime – all under strict cost pressure. BZA375 is engineered exactly for this reality. With BZA375, the expected fuel consumption in a fully loaded, 40-ton truck under real-world driving conditions is less than 6 kg hydrogen per 100 kilometers. This enables proven ranges beyond 1,000 kilometers, refueling times comparable to diesel and a durable 25,000-hour lifetime. Combined with significantly improved fuel efficiency, it delivers a compelling TCO case for the most demanding transport missions.

Coaches

Through its predecessor organizations, cellcentric has decades of experience with bus applications. The first fuel-cell-powered bus, “Nebus”, was built as early as 1997. In subsequent projects, fuel-cell buses have demonstrated their maturity in real-world operation, with individual vehicles having traveled over one million kilometers while carrying passengers.

For long-distance coach travel, fuel cells unlock zero-emission mobility without compromise. High passenger capacity, long routes, and tight schedules require a drivetrain that combines range, comfort, and fast refueling. BZA375 enables exactly that, offering quiet operation, no payload limitations and diesel-like operational flexibility, making it a strong fit for premium long-distance travel.

Stationary Power Generation

Stationary fuel cells are an additional compelling use case for BZA375. While automotive-grade fuel cells are admittedly highly specified, the envisioned economies of scale and correspondingly attractive prices still make cellcentric’s systems a very attractive proposition for this market. For operators of stationary fuel cells such as data centers and industrial facilities, they offer at least the same advantages as conventional systems.

Rail

In regional and interregional rail-based transport, there is a great need to decarbonize drive units. Not all routes can commercially or technically be equipped with overhead line systems, while battery-electric trains reach their limitations on longer topographically demanding routes or when operating for long periods each day. Fuel cell systems complement existing electrification solutions where overhead line infrastructure or purely battery-electric operation reach their limits: high performance, the ability to combine multiple fuel cell systems into a powerful power unit, efficient hydrogen consumption, short refueling times, and long ranges depending on the sizing of the hydrogen tank on the rail vehicle.

Mining

Mining vehicles and machines operate continuously – often in multiple-shift, 24/7 operations – requiring high reliability and minimum downtime for refueling. As in many on-road trucking applications, payload equals profit for the operator: the fact that fuel cell electric vehicles have a comparable vehicle weight to diesel trucks is therefore very valuable. Mines are often far from habitation, meaning they seldom have high-capacity connections to the electrical grid. Many mining companies want to contribute to ESG targets and recognize that with the long investment timelines involved, they need to start early for regulations of the future. Safety, reliability, service, and support over many years are essential, and that is what a well-established fuel cell supplier can deliver.

The hydrogen ecosystem behind the technology

The successful ramp-up of fuel cell technology and, therefore, BZA375’s full market potential will depend on a comprehensive and synchronized hydrogen ecosystem. Europe is at a crossroads. Without urgent action, we risk missing the chance to build a clean, competitive transport system and losing ground to global competitors. Hydrogen and its ecosystem play a significant role not only for Europe’s economy, but also for Europe’s resilience.

A combined battery and hydrogen strategy is how we reach net zero while safeguarding prosperity, jobs and strategic autonomy. It could save 300–500 billion euros in infrastructure costs by 2050. Scaling hydrogen mobility could create up to 500,000 high-skilled, future-proof jobs and keep value chains local.

The targeted high production volume and deployment potential of BZA375 further creates a strong positive impulse for the hydrogen ecosystem, showing the potential that lies behind hydrogen as an energy carrier. BZA375 can therefore be seen as a valuable proof point that hydrogen positively impacts Europe’s role as a technological leader and its energy resilience.

To achieve the EU CO₂ targets for 2030 – a 45% CO₂ reduction across the whole truck and bus fleet – approximately 2,000 hydrogen filling stations for heavy-duty trucks and coaches (700 bar / sLH₂) are needed in Europe. Setting up a charging and refueling infrastructure for both battery and hydrogen technologies at the required scale is faster and cheaper than a massive infrastructure upgrade for just one technology: two infrastructures are cheaper than one.

cellcentric is actively contributing to the entire hydrogen ecosystem ramp-up on political, policymaking and industry association levels, and is part of the Sustainable Transport Forum, an initiative from the European Commission, supporting the revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).

About cellcentric

cellcentric develops, produces, and commercializes fuel cell systems for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles and other applications with comparable requirements. cellcentric is a joint venture of Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group founded in 2021. The company leverages the know-how and extensive experience gained from decades of developing fuel cell systems by its predecessor companies. cellcentric’s goal is to become a leading global manufacturer and Tier 1 supplier of fuel cell systems and thus contribute to climate-neutral and sustainable transportation. More than 560 highly qualified employees are continuously advancing cellcentric’s state-of-the-art fuel cell technology. They work in interdisciplinary teams at sites in Kirchheim/Teck, Esslingen, Stuttgart (Germany) and Burnaby (Canada). Roughly 700 individual patents underline cellcentric’s leading role in fuel cell technology development.