Austrian engineers develop key technology for Europe’s climatefriendly 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

(Lend/Vienna, 29.7.2026). 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”.