Hamburg Airport and Dachser roll out hydrogen-powered vehicles in Germany

Hamburg Airport is advancing the decarbonisation of its ground operations by ordering its first hydrogen‑powered baggage tugs. After a year‑long field test that proved the retrofit concept effective in both summer and winter conditions, the airport plans delivery of the upgraded tugs by 2027. The vehicles run on a single hydrogen tank that can power a full shift and will be supported by a new container‑based hydrogen refuelling station as part of the airport’s Net Zero 2035 climate strategy and the EU BSR HyAirport project.

Logistics provider Dachser will become the first company to operate Mercedes‑Benz NextGenH2 trucks, equipped with liquid‑hydrogen fuel cells, at its Karlsruhe hub. Three trucks are scheduled for delivery by the end of December 2026, with two more to follow by mid‑2027. The trucks offer ranges of over 1,000 km and can be refuelled in 10‑15 minutes, complementing Dachser’s existing electric‑truck fleet for long‑haul freight. The rollout is part of a planned 100‑vehicle series aimed at reducing emissions in European long‑distance transport.