The German group Bosch invests in the entire hydrogen chain, from the fuel cell to the electrolyser, by way of tanks and compression at refuelling stations. The company expects a €5 billion income from 2030 onwards (about $5.6 billion).
For Bosch, the cause is clear. Hydrogen is the only way to achieve carbon neutrality. The German equipment manufacturer is so convinced of this that it has already invested €1 billion (about $1.1 billion) and will spend a further €2.5 billion (about $2.8 billion) on the development and production of technologies. It is the only player in the automotive industry to also position itself in PEM electrolysis. Starting this year, it plans to produce electrolysers with a 1.25 MW capacity for pilot applications. Mass production is scheduled for 2025.
SOFC and PEM fuel cells
As far as fuel cells are concerned, the German manufacturer has chosen two paths. The first is SOFC fuel cells for stationary applications. These can generate electricity and heat, like at the Erkelenz hospital near Cologne. Initially, they will use gas, but green hydrogen is planned for the future. The second, which is intended for mobility, is the PEM fuel cell. Bosch has started production, both in Germany and China. The first customer will be Iveco for its hydrogen-powered trucks (based on a licence from Nikola). Bosch predicts that one in five trucks of 6 tonnes or more will run on a fuel cell by 2030.
Bosch: a hydrogen engine as early as 2024?
The German manufacturer is also positioning itself in the hydrogen combustion engine market. This solution is suited to long-distance lorries. The equipment manufacturer points out that 90% of the components already exist, and that this is a more economical way of kick-starting the market. Production is due to start next year. Bosch has received four orders from manufacturers in every region of the world. And by 2030, volumes will be in the millions.
And that’s not all. At a Tech Day event, the group revealed that it had developed a steel tank (as part of the HySteelstore project, funded by the NOW agency), the advantage of which is that it is cheaper and recyclable. Finally, through its subsidiary Bosch Rexroth, and with the help of Maximator Hydrogen, the German giant is also going to position itself in hydrogen compression at refuelling stations.
In other words, Bosch has decided to go all out. But the company’s Chairman, Stefan Hartung, would like Europe to be less dogmatic. For example, Brussels only swears by green hydrogen, whereas neither China nor the United States impose such a constraint. In his view, it is also necessary to establish the supply chain (by being more tolerant of methanol imports) and to develop pipelines and stations. Mr Hartung also believes that Europe should take action to make sure that hydrogen is used in all sectors of the economy.
Do you want to learn more about Bosch and hydrogen? Then our latest articles about the German group should interest you. You can read them here, here and there.
Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King
