The Dawn of the Hydrogen-powered Construction Site
A collaboration entirely dedicated to hydrogen on the construction site, featuring MAN and Daimler Truck. The contribution of the Hydrogen Engine Alliance is fundamental
Hydrogen on the construction site is more than just a marketing opportunity, at least according to Liebherr, MAN, and Daimler Truck, following in the footsteps of the Hydrogen Engine Alliance to which they belong. These three German giants have presented their “construction site of the future” concept. The demonstration took place in a gravel pit near Munich. Here, an L 566 H—the first prototype of a large wheel loader equipped with a Liebherr hydrogen engine—worked alongside the MAN hTGX truck (already production-ready) and a Mercedes-Benz Arocs, which is still under development by Daimler Truck.
Liebherr and the Role of Hydrogen in Construction
A concept—that of efficiency compared to internal combustion models—also emphasized by Hans Knapp, Head of Pre-Development and Drive Technology at Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH. “What makes it special,” he began, “is that our wheel loader can be used exactly like a conventional diesel machine. No special planning is required for its deployment, as the wheel loader can work a full shift and be ready again after a quick refueling of just 10-15 minutes.”
Liebherr first presented the prototype and a new internal hydrogen refueling station to an audience of experts in Bischofshofen (Austria) in the summer of 2024. This was followed by the presentation of the wheel loader at the world’s leading trade fair, bauma 2025. The L 566 H is one of several hydrogen-powered wheel loaders of this type that Liebherr is currently testing with various customers.
About Trucks
However, while the L 566 H is still in the development phase, hydrogen is already finding its way into the first mass-produced commercial vehicles. This low-emission energy source truly excels when used for long-distance operations and heavy loads. Alongside the MAN eTGX, the MAN hTGX is MAN’s second zero-emission alternative and is already available for order (even though series production remains limited). The test conducted at the gravel production plant demonstrates that low-emission construction sites are not a distant vision, but a possible reality today.
However, the three manufacturers issue a warning: for hydrogen to reach its full potential in the future, Europe needs a comprehensive transport network and a fair hydrogen price—goals that are already being pursued consistently in Asia. In short, the road ahead is still all uphill.
