cellcentric Unveils BZA375 Fuel Cell System with 20% Lower Fuel Consumption for Heavy-Duty Trucks
cellcentric's new BZA375 fuel cell system delivers 375 kW continuous power, 20% lower fuel consumption, and is designed to compete with diesel in heavy-duty trucks, coaches, rail, and mining.
- 375 kW (over 500 hp)
- 20% vs. BZA150
- <6 kg/100 km for a 40-ton truck
- 25,000 hours (10 years in truck)
What Happened
cellcentric, a joint venture of Daimler Truck and Volvo Group, has unveiled the BZA375, its next-generation fuel cell system for heavy-duty applications. Developed in less than three years, the system offers up to 375 kW continuous net power (over 500 horsepower) and is engineered to compete with modern diesel engines in demanding environments. Prototype production has begun, with series production planned around the turn of the decade.
- 20% less (under 6 kg H2/100 km for a 40-ton truck)
- 40% higher
- 40% reduction
“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.”
BZA375 developed in less than three years from concept to unveiling
Unveiled at cellcentric event at Hannover Messe
Prototype production begins; first prototypes available for customer testing
Series production preparation targeted
- Heavy-duty long-haul trucks (primary use case)
- Coaches and long-distance buses
- Stationary power generation (e.g., data centers)
- Rail (regional and interregional routes)
- Mining vehicles and machines
BZA375's single-system design replaces the previous twin-system approach, reducing complexity and enabling integration into existing vehicle architectures designed for 13-liter diesel engines. The system weighs less than 500 kg and delivers a service life of 25,000 hours, equivalent to 10 years in a heavy-duty truck. cellcentric claims the system achieves a compelling total cost of ownership (TCO) for operators.
Why this matters
The BZA375 fuel cell system reduces fuel consumption by 20% compared to its predecessor while maintaining a 25,000-hour service life, making zero-emission long-haul trucking more competitive with diesel. It is available for testing by OEMs and targets multiple heavy-duty applications, supporting the hydrogen ecosystem and Europe's decarbonization goals.
Terms in This Story
- fuel cell system
- A device that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, with water as the only byproduct, used to power vehicles.
- total cost of ownership (TCO)
- The complete cost of owning and operating a vehicle over its lifetime, including purchase, fuel, maintenance, and resale value.
- Tier 1 supplier
- A company that supplies components or systems directly to an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) like a truck maker.
- one-product strategy
- A business approach where a single product is designed to serve multiple applications, enabling economies of scale.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.