Hydrogen Trucks Close In on 20,000-Hour Mark

An EU-backed project pushes fuel cell durability toward 20,000 hours, a key step for hydrogen freight viability

20 Feb 2026

Europe’s effort to make hydrogen-powered trucks commercially viable is entering a critical stage, as an EU-backed consortium works to extend the life of fuel cells used in heavy-duty vehicles. The project, known as RealHyFC and supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, is targeting durability of up to 20,000 operating hours, a benchmark widely seen as essential to improving the economics of zero-emission freight.

Hydrogen trucks have long been promoted as a solution for long-haul transport, where operators prioritize range and fast refueling. For certain routes, battery weight and charging times can limit efficiency, positioning proton exchange membrane fuel cells as an alternative. Yet durability has remained a persistent obstacle. When fuel cell stacks degrade prematurely, replacement costs rise, undermining total cost of ownership and slowing fleet adoption.

RealHyFC brings together research institutions including CEA and the German Aerospace Center, DLR, along with the Swedish manufacturer PowerCell. The consortium is testing advanced stack designs under demanding driving conditions intended to mirror real-world heavy-duty use. Its objective is to move stack durability toward and potentially beyond 20,000 hours while limiting performance losses over time.

Project materials identify the 20,000-hour mark as a central target, though public confirmation that the milestone has been reached has not yet been released. Even so, the approach reflects a broader shift in the sector. Researchers are pairing materials innovation with system-level controls, using real-time monitoring and predictive diagnostics to detect early signs of wear and adjust operating parameters before degradation accelerates.

The timing aligns with tightening European emissions standards for commercial vehicles and growing pressure on logistics providers to decarbonize. Analysts say that longer-lasting fuel cells could reduce lifecycle costs and strengthen investor confidence, helping hydrogen compete more directly with diesel and battery-electric options. As infrastructure expands and validation data emerges, durability gains may prove pivotal in determining whether hydrogen trucks move from pilot fleets to wider commercial deployment across Europe.