Daimler Buses teams up with FEV to launch the first hydrogen-powered Setra demonstrator vehicle

4.2.2026 11:30:00 CET | news aktuell GmbH | Press release

Share

FEV has teamed up with Daimler Buses to create the first coach with a hydrogen fuel cell drive system. The starting point for the “H₂ Coach” technology demonstrator, which is intended for testing purposes, was a conventional Setra coach. This marks an important step toward locally emission-free long-distance travel: short refueling times, ranges of at least 800 kilometers per tank filling, and quiet operation underscore its practicality.

FEV and Daimler Buses have jointly developed the "H2 Coach", the first coach with a hydrogen-based fuel cell drive system.
FEV and Daimler Buses have jointly developed the "H2 Coach", the first coach with a hydrogen-based fuel cell drive system. Source: Daimler Buses

(Aachen, Germany) Daimler Buses and FEV jointly carried out the complete system transformation from diesel drive to fuel cell electric vehicle. After creating the overall vehicle concept, FEV took over the mechanical and E/E integration.  One distinguishing feature is that the individual components deployed – including fuel cells, high-voltage components (such as batteries and electric motors), H₂ tank assemblies, control units including software – originate from different technology platforms from Daimler Buses and Daimler Truck. FEV integrated the systems into a functional powertrain in the overall vehicle.

An important factor in the development process was safety. Measures were developed for various crash load cases as well as for functional, high-voltage, and hydrogen safety.

“The 'H₂ Coach' impressively demonstrates how complex subsystems can be integrated into a testable, safe complete vehicle when vehicle, powertrain, and E/E expertise come from a single source,” said Klaus Wolff, Vice President Project Management at FEV. “With our one-stop-shop approach, we quickly and efficiently delivered the desired customized solution to our customer – from concept to approval.”

After successful approval by German technical inspection authority TÜV and passing electromagnetic compatibility tests, FEV handed over the vehicle to Daimler Buses in the summer of 2025 after approximately two years of joint project work.

Press release download: https://fev.group/473fd1

Contacts

Images

FEV and Daimler Buses have jointly developed the "H2 Coach", the first coach with a hydrogen-based fuel cell drive system.
FEV and Daimler Buses have jointly developed the "H2 Coach", the first coach with a hydrogen-based fuel cell drive system.
Source: Daimler Buses
Download

About news aktuell GmbH

news aktuell, a subsidiary of the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa), provides companies, institutions and associations with effective access to both the media and consumers and supports the organizations in telling their stories easily and successfully. Utilizing the digital tools “ots” and “zimpel” PR content reaches all media formats, including classic print titles, wide-reach online portals or social networks. In addition, news aktuell publishes all of its clients' PR content on www.presseportal.de, one of Germany's widest-reaching PR portals. Thus, all relevant multipliers are reached worldwide, ranging from editors and digital influencers to specialist bloggers and interested consumers. Communications specialists from all over Germany rely on the expertise of the dpa subsidiary. news aktuell has been on the market since 1989 and employs over 135 people. The company is based in Hamburg. Further locations include Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich.

Subscribe to releases from news aktuell GmbH

Subscribe to all the latest releases from news aktuell GmbH by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Latest releases from news aktuell GmbH

Grünenthal licenses exclusive South Korean rights to Qutenza® to BCWorld Pharm5.3.2026 08:54:06 CET | Press release

Aachen, Germany & Yeoju, South Korea, 5 March 2026 – Grünenthal, a global leader in pain management and related diseases, and BCWorld Pharm Co., Ltd. ("BCWP"), a specialty company actively expanding and diversifying its pain management portfolio through global open innovation partnerships, announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby BCWP will have the exclusive South Korean rights to Qutenza®, a topical, non-systemic, non-opioid patch treatment. In Europe, the product is indicated for the management of peripheral neuropathic pain.

Grünenthal takes full ownership of Grünenthal Meds, the joint venture established with Kyowa Kirin for its established medicines brands2.3.2026 10:39:09 CET | Press release

Grünenthal acquired Kyowa Kirin International’s 49% stake in ‘Grünenthal Meds’, a joint venture formed in 2023 to market the established medicines portfolio from Kyowa Kirin International. Through this acquisition, Grünenthal assumes the sole responsibility of a portfolio comprising 12 brands across six therapeutic areas and >60 markets.

Vyoma awarded ESA data procurement contract for space-based data on small space debris24.2.2026 10:53:34 CET | Press release

(Munich, February 24th, 2026) Vyoma, a Munich-based company providing Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capabilities, has been selected as the winner of the ESA tender on ”Data Procurement for Space-Based Statistical Data on Small Space Debris Phase 1”, funded via ESA‘s Space Safety Programme (S2P). ESA’s Meteoroid And Space debris Terrestrial Environment Reference (MASTER) model provides a description of the space environment around Earth, supporting satellite designers, operators and others with risk assessments. Currently, there exists a significant temporal and spatial knowledge gap for observations of space debris with sizes smaller than the detection limit of ground-based sensors. Vyoma's Flamingo-1 satellite is ideally positioned to generate the image data ESA is seeking. Flying “in-situ” at an altitude of 510 km, Flamingo-1's instrument can monitor large volumes of space at once. This sensor detects objects at long and short distances and captures small and fast objects reliably, im

In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.

Visit our pressroom
World GlobeA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.HiddenA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.Eye