Austrian engineers develop key technology for Europe's climate-friendly truck traffic
World's first road-legal LH₂ cryogenic tank, developed by SAG Group in Lend, successfully paves the way for emission-free, hydrogen-powered long-distance transport
This is precisely why the engineers of the SAG Group in Austria developed a new type of LH₂ cryogenic tank system together with Daimler Truck. The result is the world's first liquid hydrogen tank of its kind approved for road use, a technological milestone for the de-carbonisation of European heavy transport.
Suitability for everyday use with #HydrogenRecordRun successfully proven
The tank system from Lend impressively demonstrated its performance at Daimler Truck's #HydrogenRecordRun. The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 truck with a total weight of 40 tons covered a distance of 1,047 kilometres with just one tank of liquid hydrogen without CO₂ emissions and under real operating conditions. The range record confirmed by TÜV Rheinland also shows that hydrogen technology can make emission-free long-distance transport economically possible.
In the meantime, GenH2 trucks are in daily practical use at the first industrial companies in Europe. The experience gained there provides important insights for the further development and future series use of hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles.
Austrian engineers develop key technology for Europe's climate-friendly truck traffic
World's first road-legal LH₂ cryogenic tank, developed by SAG Group in Lend, successfully paves the way for emission-free, hydrogen-powered long-distance transport
While battery-electric drives are gaining in importance, especially in regional transport, fuel cell trucks with liquid hydrogen are considered a promising solution for international long-distance transport. Liquid hydrogen has a significantly higher energy density than gaseous hydrogen, thus enabling long ranges with a high payload. However, the technical challenges in the development work were enormous: hydrogen must be safely stored at minus 253 degrees Celsius and made reliably available at all times, refuelling times must be short and the range long. And top safety must be guaranteed in every situation. A difficult balancing act that the engineers of the SAG Group have mastered in recent years.
This is precisely why the engineers of the SAG Group in Austria developed a new type of LH₂ cryogenic tank system together with Daimler Truck. The result is the world's first liquid hydrogen tank of its kind approved for road use, a technological milestone for the decarbonisation of European heavy transport.
Suitability for everyday use with #HydrogenRecordRun successfully proven
The tank system from Lend impressively demonstrated its performance at Daimler Truck's #HydrogenRecordRun. The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 truck with a total weight of 40 tonnes covered a distance of 1,047 kilometres with just one tank of liquid hydrogen without CO₂ emissions and under real operating conditions. The range record confirmed by TÜV Rheinland also shows that hydrogen technology can make emission-free long-distance transport economically possible.
In the meantime, GenH2 trucks are in daily practical use at the first industrial companies in Europe. The experience gained there provides important insights for the further development and future series use of hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles.
Technology made in Austria for the future of mobility
"With the LH2 tank system, we are solving a technical problem that many have tried to solve: minus 253 degrees, safe and suitable for everyday use. 1,047 kilometers without emissions is not a test run, but proof! The infrastructure must now follow. Not as a condition, but as the next logical step," says Dr. Karin Exner-Wöhrer, CEO of the SAG Group.
The development of the LH₂ tank system is part of SAG Group's long-term innovation strategy. At the Salzburg site, the company bundles its expertise in research and development for lightweight construction and cryogenic technologies. The goal: to develop key technologies that support European vehicle manufacturers in achieving their climate targets and at the same time strengthen the competitiveness of companies.
Austrian know-how with international impact
The development of the LH₂ cryogenic tank underlines Austria's role as a high-tech location for sophisticated industrial innovations.
With decades of experience in lightweight construction, materials technology and industrial series development, the SAG Group brings technologies to the road that set new international standards and originated in Austria.
SAG Group: Global player with a local footprint in six countries
The company goes back to Salzburger Aluminium AG, founded in 1898, and today employs around 950 people at nine locations in Austria, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Mexico and the USA. As a leading manufacturer of aluminum tanks for trucks, SAG is a global supplier to numerous well-known OEMs.SAG is considered the technology leader in cryogenic tank systems for LNG and LH₂ and was the first company to bring rheocasting to series production. The product portfolio also includes lightweight components for chassis, air accumulators, compressed air tanks and special components for the car, commercial vehicle, rail and special vehicle industries. In 2025, the group achieved sales of around 160 million euros.
As part of the GreenTech Awards, the SAG Group has received several awards as a "Leading Innovator".
www.sag.at
Press contact:
SAG Group
Andrea Pfennigbauer
andrea.pfennigbauer@sag.at