Bosch Expands Efforts to Shift CVs to Alternative Powertrains

Key Highlight:

• Bosch is expanding products for alternative powertrains.
• A new business unit for trucks will start in 2025.
• Focus on battery-electric, fuel-cell, and efficient combustion engines.
• Developing e-axles, hydrogen engines, and faster refueling.
• Innovations in safety systems, fuel efficiency, and connected services.

Bosch is increasing its offering of products and solutions to help commercial vehicles shift to alternative powertrains. At the IAA Transportation trade exhibition in Hannover, Markus Heyn, Member of the Bosch Board of Management and Chairman of the Mobility business area, emphasized the significance of a technology-neutral strategy to driving this shift.

Mr. Heyn stated that the shift of commercial vehicles to alternative powertrains will only be successful if there is a commitment to remaining technology-neutral and focusing on advancing all types of powertrains to enhance their efficiency.

In response to rising demand for alternative powertrains, the company is restructuring its commercial vehicle operations in the Mobility segment. 

Beginning in January 2025, the company will consolidate system development and product management for trucks and off-road applications into a new business unit directed by Jan-Oliver Röhrl. 

This new approach intends to improve productivity and customer collaboration while producing commercial vehicles. The company specializes in developing battery-electric and fuel-cell power systems, while also improving modern combustion engine technologies. 

According to Bosch's projections, by 2030, approximately 20% of newly registered commercial vehicles weighing more than six metric tonnes will be battery-electric, with fuel cells accounting for approximately 3%. By 2035, the business anticipates one-third of trucks to have a battery and one-tenth to have a fuel cell. 

The corporation emphasizes that infrastructure development, such as electric charging stations and hydrogen filling stations, is critical to meeting these objectives.

Bosch is also working on additional technologies, including an e-axle for heavy commercial vehicles in China, hydrogen engines in India, and a cryogenic pump in collaboration with FirstElement Fuel in the United States, which aims to speed up hydrogen refueling.

Bosch's approach remains heavily focused on assistance systems. Lane-keeping support systems, for example, have the potential to prevent one out of every eight truck accidents. 

The electronic horizon system improves fuel efficiency by collecting data on topography and traffic signs, allowing for intelligent speed adjustments. This can lower fuel consumption by up to 5% in combustion-powered vehicles, while it increases the range of electric vehicles.

Bosch also specializes in software-defined mobility for commercial vehicles. With the increasing demand for linked services, it seeks to simplify vehicle architecture by minimizing the number of vehicle computers. 

The company's digital service platform, L.OS, facilitates the integration of connected logistics services and interacts with partners such as Amazon Web Services. Furthermore, the Retrofit Efficiency module enables fleet owners to optimise fuel usage by slightly altering truck speed based on stored data, possibly saving up to 4%.

Also Read: BYD Unveils E-VALI Electric Light Commercial Vehicle at IAA Transportation 2024

CMV360 Says

Bosch’s efforts to expand its technology for alternative powertrains show a strong commitment to sustainability in the commercial vehicle sector. The company’s forward-thinking approach, combined with its focus on infrastructure and advanced technologies, is likely to play a key role in shaping the future of transportation.