German auto supplier Bosch has announced a bold target of achieving five billion euros in sales with hydrogen technology by 2030. The company has already invested 2.5 billion euros in hydrogen technology between 2021 and 2026, employing over 3,000 people for this purpose. Bosch is also planning to introduce a hydrogen engine for heavy vehicles by 2024.As part of its hydrogen strategy, Bosch has partnered with the US-based Nikola Corporation, which will serve as the pilot customer for its Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric truck. Nikola’s truck is scheduled to enter the North American market in the third quarter of 2023. Dr. Stefan Hartung, the Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH, expressed his enthusiasm for the hydrogen future, stating that it is about to become a reality at Bosch’s Stuttgart-Feuerbach plant in Germany. The Feuerbach factory will be supplied with fuel-cell stacks from Bosch’s Bamberg plant, while important system components will be manufactured at the Homburg plant.Markus Heyn, Chairman of Bosch Mobility, highlighted the company’s expertise in mass-producing complex technology like fuel-cell stacks, emphasizing their capability to quickly scale up new developments to mass production. Bosch aims to manufacture fuel-cell power models not only in Feuerbach but also in Chongqing, China, while the required components will be sourced from the Wuxi plant in China. In the United States, Bosch plans to manufacture stacks for mobile applications at its plant in South Carolina.Bosch predicts that by 2030, one in five new trucks weighing six tons or more will feature a fuel-cell powertrain. To support this projection, the company has already begun developing prototypes for electrolysis using proton exchange membranes, which enables the reverse of the energy conversion method used in mobile fuel cells. Bosch intends to make 1.25-megawatt prototypes available for pilot applications in the fall and aims to start volume production in 2025. Additionally, Bosch is exploring the use of stationary solid-oxide fuel cells for distributed power and heat supply.Apart from fuel-cell powertrains, Bosch is actively working on hydrogen engines and developing systems for both port and direct injection of hydrogen. This solution is particularly suitable for heavy vehicles on long hauls with heavy loads. Heyn emphasized the benefits of hydrogen engines, stating that they can perform all functions of a diesel engine while being carbon-neutral, providing a fast and cost-effective entry into hydrogen-based mobility. The company plans to launch its H2 engine starting in 2024 and already has four production projects in progress across major economic regions, expecting six-figure unit volumes by 2030.In summary, Bosch’s ambitious sales target of five billion euros with hydrogen technology by 2030 showcases its commitment to advancing sustainable mobility solutions. With substantial investments, strategic partnerships, and a focus on mass production capabilities, Bosch aims to play a significant role in shaping the future of hydrogen-based transportation and energy systems.
