Tesla Semi, Chinese Competitors, and Hydrogen Trucks at the IAA Exhibition in Hannover

In the first part of our report from the IAA exhibition, we covered the highlights from European manufacturers. Now, here’s part two.

Meet the Tesla Semi tractor at the German exhibition! But wait—what are these vehicles alongside it, astonishingly similar and with Polish plates? These are the newest Windrose clones from China! Their battery capacity is 729 kWh compared to Tesla’s 500 or 800 kWh, claimed driving range is 940 km versus Tesla’s 800 km, and their aerodynamic drag coefficient is lower: 0.2755 compared to Tesla’s 0.35–0.36. According to Windrose, a 26-tonne fully loaded truck recently completed a 2253 km route with just two recharges. Windrose has already conducted tests in both Europe and the US—how about that, Elon Musk?

Almost as aerodynamic (drag coefficient of 0.286) is the equally impressive Huanghe tractor (known as Yellow River in English). Its propulsion system is hydrogen-based, but unlike other manufacturers, it’s powered not by fuel cells but by China’s first hydrogen internal combustion engine for trucks—a 14.56-liter Weichai unit producing 350 hp and 2700 Nm of torque.

The Shandong Heavy Industry Group, which includes Huanghe as well as familiar names such as Sitrak and Shacman (marketed in Europe as Shacmoto to avoid associations with MAN), also showcased other new trucks. Sitrak presented another facelift of the C9H model, featuring both hydrogen (range of 1250 km) and battery-electric versions. Shacmoto exhibited the hydrogen-powered X6000 FCV. Other “hydrogen-Chinese” trucks were on display as well, including the futuristic silver-colored King Long and vehicles from the previously unknown brand Wisdom Motor.

But what about the electric Steyr eTopas 600? The brand is Austrian, but its cab is identical to the JAC K7 tractor, just with a different grille! As it turns out, this is a purebred “electric-Chinese” truck, which the renowned Steyr factory has decided to assemble (or partially assemble) and promote, partnering with a Chinese “super partner” aptly named SuperPartner.

Until recently, Steyr produced light- and medium-duty MAN trucks, but during the pandemic, MAN ceased its operations here and considered closing the plant. Now renamed Steyr Automotive, the plant manufactures, for example, garbage trucks. Serial production of the displayed tractor—with an electric axle drive, LFP batteries, and a 500 km range—is planned for late 2025, and DHL is already identified as a potential customer.

Ode to Hydrogen

Hydrogen-powered trucks, which manufacturers believe will eventually replace battery-electric vehicles, are like Schrödinger’s cat: absent on roads… but abundant at exhibitions!

The European pioneer of this movement, Hyundai, ceased its project to implement Xcient hydrogen trucks in Switzerland in 2022 due to high fuel costs, shifting its experiments to the US. Nevertheless, a hydrogen-powered Xcient adapted for transporting interchangeable BDF bodies was displayed at the booth of Mercedes specialist Paul.

A similar situation applies to hydrogen-powered Mercedes trucks. Daimler itself is not yet heavily invested in them: current prototypes are based on pre-facelift Actros trucks, with production planned for 2027 or later. However, Paul showcased the PH2P model based on the lightweight Mercedes Atego truck—featuring Toyota fuel cells, a Voith electric motor, and hydrogen tanks enabling a driving range of up to 300 km.

IVECO parted ways with the electric-hydrogen startup Nikola, despite ceremonially opening a joint production facility in Turin several years ago. Nikola, like Hyundai, now focuses on America, but the tractor itself remained with the Italians, renamed with the jawbreaker IVECO S-eWay C9 H2 Series Hybrid Concept. Interestingly, IVECO scarcely mentions this model in press releases…

Though Renault Trucks did not attend the exhibition, another French startup, Hylico, showcased a hydrogen truck based on the Renault T model, again using Toyota fuel cells.

Representatives from MAN previously admitted during a presentation that they saw no future in hydrogen but have now announced plans to produce 200 prototypes by 2025 for customer testing. However, these are intended not for long-haul tractors but rather three-axle vehicles designed for transporting construction materials or lumber—areas where hydrogen refueling stations are conveniently available.

And what about Germany’s Quantron, which two years ago, at IAA 2022, announced intentions to produce its models based on MAN TGX tractors—electric, hydrogen-powered, and restyled versions? Apparently, something went wrong, as Quantron did not participate in the current exhibition.

Instead, a new startup emerged from Zwickau, a former East German city known for producing the tiny Trabant. The truck is named FEScell 180/280/220, also boldly labeled Erfolgsmobil—”Success Vehicle.” Built on the chassis of the 18-tonne MAN TGM delivery truck, it features a 33-liter hydrogen tank, Chinese Toyota Tsusho Nexty Electronics fuel cells, an electric motor, and a modest 57 kWh traction battery (both supplied by the German company FRAMO). Tests indicate hydrogen consumption on the highway ranges from 6.6 to 7 kg per 100 km, providing a total driving range of 470–500 km, with an additional 30 km from the battery. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, with all this onboard, we shall attempt to take flight.” Will these hydrogen projects truly take off?

Photo: Alexander Tsypin | manufacturing companies | Milan Olshansky | organizers

This is a translation. You can read the original article here: Tesla Semi, «китайцы» и водородные грузовики на выставке IAA в Ганновере