Daimler Buses has unveiled the Setra H₂ Coach, its first hydrogen fuel-cell-powered touring coach, marking a major step toward zero-emission long-distance travel. Recently approved for road testing in Germany, the 13.9-meter luxury high-decker combines cutting-edge hydrogen technology with proven engineering from Daimler Truck’s GenH2 platform. With a minimum range of 800 kilometres and rapid refuelling capabilities, the H₂ Coach signals Daimler Buses’ dual strategy to advance both battery-electric and hydrogen-based mobility solutions for the future of sustainable transport.
Daimler Buses debuts its first hydrogen-powered Setra touring coach
At the heart of the 13.9 meter‑long high‑decker with the model designation S 517 HD is a combination of two hydrogen tanks with a total tank capacity of 46 kilograms and the cellcentric fuel cell unit.
The S 517 HD converted into an H₂ Coach with a permissible gross vehicle weight of 24.7 tons has been approved as a test vehicle on the basis of the TÜV report, in accordance with Section 19.6 of the German Regulations Authorising the Use of Vehicles for Road Traffic, which, in addition to the test series on the internal testing grounds of Daimler Buses, also permits test drives on public roads.
With its zero-emission drive technology, the Setra ComfortClass concept bus represents a promising alternative to diesel-powered vehicles, as it not only has a low-noise drive system, but also contributes significantly to improving air quality in cities and holiday regions. Compared to battery‑electric buses, the coach is also characterised by a higher range and shorter refuelling times.
The technology carrier is being developed at Daimler Buses in Neu‑Ulm. The site is the competence centre for coaches of all drive types. A total of around 3,800 employees work at Daimler Buses in Neu‑Ulm in central functions, development and bus production.
