CHINA REPORT
Bosch Powertrain announced the establishment of a commercial vehicle group, aiming to strengthen cross-domain cooperation at the same time it introduced a new electronic pneumatic braking system and intelligent mobility solutions for commercial vehicles at the 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.
Bosch also has developed an advanced super thermal management system to address the thermal management challenges in the commercial vehicle industry. Bosch says it is optimistic about the development prospects of hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles and is actively promoting the adaptive development and promotion of related technologies.
During the Beijing Auto Show, Wang Weiliang, the President of the Board of Bosch Intelligent Transportation Solutions China and the President of Bosch Powertrain Systems China, announced Bosch’s significant strategic initiatives for this year. Wang Weiliang said that China, as the world’s largest commercial vehicle market, is in a golden era of booming development for the commercial vehicle industry.
Wang Weiliang further emphasized that Bosch Power is committed to transforming a variety of diversified and intelligent commercial vehicle powertrains, intelligent electronic steering technology for commercial vehicles, and autonomous driving technology for commercial vehicles into a platform. This platform also includes electronically controlled pneumatic automatic braking systems and heavy-duty electric drive axles. It is a significant move for Bosch’s new business expansion from the driving to the braking field. Currently, Bosch’s braking systems are being tested in domestic first-tier vehicle manufacturers and are planned to be mass-produced by the end of 2024. At the same time, the Bosch heavy-duty commercial vehicle electric power steering system was also exhibited to achieve safer braking and steering.
Source: CVWORLD.CN Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Twenty years ago, Bosch Powertrain seized the opportunity for emission upgrades in Chinese commercial vehicles and entered the Chinese market. The transition from mechanical pumps to electronic controls was a significant turning point and a tremendous opportunity for Bosch Powertrain. Despite adjustments in technical routes and market fluctuations, Bosch Powertrain has steadfastly promoted the high-pressure common rail technology and achieved great success through localized manufacturing and localized development applications. Now, the Chinese commercial vehicle market is undergoing new changes, with the inevitable trend towards higher-end, intelligent, and green transformation.
China is committed to building a platform that integrates diversified and intelligent commercial vehicle powertrains, intelligent electronic steering technology, and autonomous driving technology for commercial vehicles. This platform also includes electronic brake systems (EBS), heavy-duty electric axles, thermal management systems, and alternative fuels.
The multi-structure fuel development landscape will continue to exist for a long time. Bosch continuously optimizes diesel power technology and expands the application of clean alternative fuels, including low-carbon alternatives such as natural gas and methanol, as well as zero-carbon hydrogen.
As for the technology of natural gas powertrain systems, Bosch’s strength is well-known, and it leads the domestic natural gas engine market. Regarding methanol and hydrogen, commercial vehicle news media report that Bosch has achieved mass production and implemented solutions. Hydrogen fuel for internal combustion engines achieves zero carbon emissions, leveraging existing technology with high efficiency. The cost of hydrogen fuel cells has significantly decreased and is expected to further drop in the next few years.
In terms of its entire lifecycle, the cost is now on par with diesel vehicles. By 2025, it is predicted that the use cost of hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles over their entire lifecycle (traveling between 750,000 to 1 million kilometers) will be slightly lower than diesel vehicles.
Although the initial cost of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is still higher than diesel vehicles, with the government actively promoting the construction of infrastructure, including hydrogen refueling stations and hydrogen highways, hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles are expected to soon enter the market in significant numbers.
Currently, many regions are actively promoting the adaptive development and promotion of hydrogen fuel cells in cold chain logistics, intercity and long-distance logistics, sanitation vehicles, and other fields, contributing to the rapid development of hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles. PSR
Jack Hao is Senior Research Manager – China for Power Systems Research
