Daimler Truck, Volvo Group and Toyota Motor Corporation are taking a significant step toward advancing hydrogen-powered mobility. Under a binding agreement, Toyota will join cellcentric as an equal shareholder, creating a three-way partnership focused on scaling fuel cell technology for heavy-duty commercial applications.
The global transition toward cleaner transportation is creating an urgent need for zero-emission solutions capable of meeting the demanding requirements of heavy-duty vehicles. In a move that could strengthen the hydrogen mobility ecosystem, Daimler Truck AG, the Volvo Group and Toyota Motor Corporation have signed a binding agreement for Toyota to become an equal partner and shareholder in cellcentric.
Following the non-binding agreement announced in March 2026, the new arrangement will see Daimler Truck, Volvo and Toyota each hold a one-third stake in cellcentric, subject to regulatory approvals. Completion of the transaction is expected around the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027.
At the heart of the partnership is cellcentric’s ambition to establish itself as a leading global developer, manufacturer and Tier 1 supplier of fuel cell systems for heavy-duty applications. The company will remain an independent and autonomous organisation, serving customers across a broad range of sectors, including heavy-duty road and off-road transport, coaches, rail, stationary power generation and heavy off-highway equipment.
The equal partnership is designed to combine technological expertise, industrial capabilities and global market experience. By working together, the three companies aim to strengthen cellcentric’s technological leadership, expand industrial scale and improve the competitiveness of fuel cell systems for demanding commercial applications.
Beyond vehicle technology, the collaboration also reflects a broader understanding that hydrogen mobility depends on an ecosystem extending far beyond the vehicle itself. The partners intend to work with industry associations and organisations throughout the hydrogen value chain to support the development of hydrogen production, supply and refuelling infrastructure. Building this ecosystem will be critical for enabling the widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty transportation.
cellcentric already brings substantial expertise to this effort. Founded in 2021 as a joint venture between Daimler Truck and Volvo Group, the company has more than 560 employees working across locations in Germany and Canada. Its technology development is supported by approximately 700 individual patents, highlighting its extensive intellectual-property base and long-term investment in fuel cell innovation.
For the heavy-duty transport industry, fuel cells offer a potential pathway to zero-emission mobility while addressing operational requirements such as long-distance travel and high vehicle utilisation. The partnership between three major automotive players could therefore help accelerate the development and industrialisation of this technology.
Importantly, Daimler Truck, Volvo and Toyota will continue to compete independently in their respective businesses outside cellcentric. Within the joint venture, however, their shared objective is clear: to advance fuel cell technology and help create the infrastructure and industrial foundation required for hydrogen-powered transportation to become a scalable reality.
The agreement marks more than a change in ownership for cellcentric. It represents a strategic alignment of global engineering capabilities around one of the most promising technologies for decarbonising heavy-duty mobility.
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