Hydrogen coaches? Setra begins testing of a technology carrier with cellcentric fuel cell module

Daimler Buses has started test drives of its first Setra coach equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell drive, named the technology carrier “H2 Coach.” The 13.9-meter high-decker, model S 517 HD, combines two hydrogen tanks with a total capacity of 46 kilograms and a fuel cell module capable of as many as 300 kW, developed within Daimler – Volvo joint-venture cellcentric, launched in 2021. Stated range? 800 km at least.

The electric motor provides a continuous output of 320 kW and a maximum output of 400 kW, with torque of 1,368 Nm and 2,470 Nm, respectively. An integrated battery pack temporarily stores energy to optimize fuel cell efficiency and provide situational power support.

It is not clear whether this represents a strategic shift toward hydrogen for long-distance travel, but it is certainly a first step in a specific direction within a segment that has so far seen on offer some battery-electric solutions from Chinese manufacturers, now joined by the Lion’s Coach E from MAN, the first developed by a European manufacturer. Another player is Irizar, with its i6 Efficient Hydrogen model.

Setra hydrogen coach on test

As widely known, Daimler Buses is pursuing a dual e-mobility strategy. The Mercedes eCitaro battery-electric city bus has been in series production since 2018, with a hydrogen fuel cell range-extender option available since 2023. The Mercedes eIntouro battery-electric intercity bus will enter production from 2026 and will debut at Busworld Europe in Brussels, with orders open since the first quarter of 2025. Fuel-cell coaches are said to be the next step in the company’s roadmap.

The H2 Coach has a permissible gross vehicle weight of 24.7 tons and has been approved as a test vehicle under TÜV Section 19.6, Daimler Truck states. This approval allows test drives both on Daimler Buses’ internal testing grounds and on public roads. The vehicle is intended to offer a zero-emission alternative to diesel-powered coaches, with lower noise, higher range, and shorter refueling times compared with battery-electric vehicles, contributing to improved air quality in cities and holiday regions.

Development of the H2 Coach takes place at Daimler Buses’ Neu-Ulm site, the competence center for coaches of all drive types. The technology is largely based on components from the Mercedes‑Benz GenH2 Truck and is developed in cooperation with Volvo Group through the cellcentric joint venture, which Daimler Truck aims to establish as a leading global fuel cell manufacturer by 2050.