(Chongqing / China) – Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems Co., Ltd. has inaugurated its new location in China. Construction began in 2021. The Class A fuel cell research and development center covers an area of 240.000 square meters. It houses, among other things, departments for technical development, testing, manufacturing and sales management for hydrogen-powered vehicles (FCEV).
Bosch and Qingling will deliver 300 hydrogen logistics vehicles powered by the Bosch fuel cell system to Shanxi Meijin Energy. © China Hydrogen
“China is the largest market for new energy vehicles in the world and is at the forefront of technological innovation and industrialization,” said Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Bosch Management Board, in the presence of representatives from politics and business. Bosch assumes that by 2030, one in five new trucks worldwide weighing six tons or more will be equipped with a fuel cell drive. Therefore, since its founding in 2021, Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems, a joint venture between Bosch and Qingling Motor, has actively strengthened its local research initiatives and expanded the product portfolio “to meet the requirements of the Chinese market.”
Mobility and logistics
Bosch has launched fuel cell modules with outputs of 76 kilowatts (kW), 134 kW and 190 kW, covering various application scenarios of commercial vehicles, including urban mobility, logistics and medium to heavy long-distance transport. A 300 kW fuel cell module has already been used in customer vehicles for experimental purposes.
Bosch Hydrogen also introduced the electric rigid axle for heavy commercial vehicles, which is characterized by high efficiency, integration and low weight. This axle is a unit that integrates the gearbox, electric motor and differential into a common housing. The drive energy comes from fuel cells or batteries. The systems are used in vehicles from 18 to 49 tons.
The inauguration of the new site not only marks a new starting point and a higher level of cooperation between Chongqing and Bosch, "but also effectively promotes the construction of the hydrogen industry in Chongqing and significantly accelerates the development of new energy and storage industry clusters," said Duntao Jiang, deputy mayor of the city. During the inauguration, Bosch Hydrogen also announced the delivery of 300 logistics vehicles powered by the Bosch fuel cell system to coal producer Shanxi Meijin Energy Co. Ltd. known.
Fuel cells for everyone
The aim of the Bosch/Qingling joint venture is to equip all Chinese vehicle manufacturers with fuel cell systems. The components required for this, such as the fuel cell stack, air compressor with power electronics and control unit with sensors, come from Bosch, mainly from the factory in Wuxi.
According to the state-run China Hydrogen Alliance, Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain System has also signed contracts with several major customers including Cosco Shipping and China Postal Express & Logistic for the delivery of an additional 1.000 FCEV logistics vehicles. By 2030, more than a million fuel cell-powered vehicles could be registered in China, according to China Hydrogen, citing the “Energy Saving and New Energy Vehicle Technology Roadmap 2.0” from the China Society of Automotive Engineers (China-SAE).
Photos
Bosch has opened a new research center for fuel cells in China. © Hydrogen Powertrain Systems (Chongqing) Co. Ltd.
