The well-known German agency Robert Bosch GmbH raised eyebrows when it detailed a crew of engineers to assist the US startup Nikola Motors launch a brand new, improved model of its Nikola Tre gasoline cell electrical lengthy haul truck. That was only a teaser. On July 13, Bosch devoted its whole Tech Day 2023 to put out its gasoline cell plans for the long run, going far and large with a concentrate on inexperienced hydrogen.
CleanTechnica is attending Bosch Tech Day 2023 in Stuttgart, Germany as a visitor of the corporate. We previewed Bosch’s new renewable H2 water therapy system earlier this week and on-the-spot reporting will observe.
Bosch & Nikola Pursue Hydrogen Gasoline Cell Dream Truck
Bosch know-how has been taking part in a robust behind-the-scenes function in the electrical automobile trade to cap a protracted file of engineering innovation, so it’s no shock to seek out the corporate taking a dive into hydrogen gasoline cells as properly (full CleanTechnica protection is right here).
The eyebrow-raising has extra to do with Nikola. The corporate received off to begin when it launched in 2014 with a mission to zero out Class 8 heavy obligation truck emissions.
Nikola’s Tre gasoline cell truck mission was on observe going into 2017, when phrase dropped that Nikola and Bosch would collectively develop the brand new powertrain utilizing Bosch’s scalable, modular all-in-one eAxle. The 2 firms anticipated manufacturing by 2021.
A shakeup at Nikola reportedly shook the bloom off the rose in 2020, however the setback — if there was one — didn’t final lengthy.
In September of 2021, Nikola and Bosch introduced an settlement to maneuver ahead, with Nikola to construct Bosch gasoline cell energy modules at its manufacturing facility in Arizona for Nikola’s Class 7 and eight gasoline cell vehicles, starting with the Nikola Tre Class 8 truck at a spread of 500 miles after which introducing the Nikola Two Class 8 truck at 900 miles.
New Life For Nikola
Apparently all that tough work has paid off. Bosch Tech Day 2023 began off with a press launch saying that Nikola is the pilot buyer for Bosch’s gasoline cell energy module, now in industrial manufacturing at its plant in Stuttgart-Feuerbach. The corporate additionally affirmed that Nikola expects to start manufacturing of the Tre Class 8 truck for the US market later this 12 months, someday throughout Q3.
Bosch has laid plans for its hydrogen-related companies to account for €5 billion by 2030, primarily based on the leverage of its present operations and data base. The corporate already has a head begin with a €2.5 billion plan for the years 2021 to 2026, representing 1 billion greater than initially deliberate for 2021-202.
“Bosch is among the only a few firms which can be able to mass producing know-how as advanced as fuel-cell stacks,” defined Markus Heyn, who’s a member of the Bosch board of administration and chairman of Bosch Mobility. “We don’t simply have the required methods experience, but additionally the aptitude of rapidly scaling up new developments to mass manufacturing.”
Which means gasoline cell vehicles, vehicles, and extra vehicles. Battery-electric vehicles have a head begin, however Bosch anticipates there will likely be loads of room out there for gasoline cell vehicles. The corporate anticipates 20% of latest heavy obligation vehicles (6 tons or extra) will likely be powered by gasoline cells within the coming years.
Bosch intends to lean totally on its German services to perform that, however plans are additionally within the works to supply the gasoline cell module in China.
The US is subsequent in line. Along with the continuing work with Nikola, Bosch has electrical automobile plans within the works for South Carolina, which dovetail with its plans to supply silicon carbide semiconductors in California upon the acquisition of US chipmaker TSI Semiconductor. As we speak’s press launch affirmed that the South Carolina facility will manufacture gasoline cell stacks for electrical autos.
Inexperienced Hydrogen Financial system Will get Thumbs-Up From Bosch
The dream of a zero emission hydrogen financial system appeared like a local weather safety oxymoron only a few years in the past, when fossil power — pure gasoline and coal — have been the first sources for the worldwide hydrogen provide.
They nonetheless are, however new inexperienced hydrogen know-how is starting to push them apart. Biogas and different natural wastes are additionally in play, however the principle focus of investor exercise is on electrolysis methods that push hydrogen gasoline from water, with the electrical energy sourced from wind, photo voltaic, or different renewables.
The all-renewables angle has earned water-produced hydrogen the title of “inexperienced” hydrogen. Hydrogen recycled from industrial sources may have an element to play in local weather safety, however Bosch has dedicated to gasoline cell mobility on the coattails of inexperienced hydrogen.
“Bosch know-how begins with electrolysis and ends with the hydrogen engine,” the corporate emphasised, in case there may be any doubt. “Solely with hydrogen can there be a climate-neutral world. For Bosch, that’s crystal-clear. The corporate due to this fact strongly advocates the institution of a hydrogen financial system.”
If there may be nonetheless any doubt, that will be one thing for the politicians to find out. “[T]he additional prospects for the hydrogen enterprise rely on the political setting,” Bosch said.
Extra Inexperienced Hydrogen For The World Financial system
The Biden administration has staked $8 billion to launch regional hydrogen hubs all through the US, leveraging inexperienced hydrogen, recycled hydrogen, and even fossil hydrogen for anybody courageous sufficient to proceed carrying the torch for fossil power previous this summer time’s climate-induced warmth waves.
In consideration of competitors from the US and elsewhere, Bosch Tech Day underscored a short however sharp message for coverage makers in Europe: Do extra.
In remarks earlier than the gathering, Bosch’s chairman of the board of administration, Dr. Stefan Hartung, demanded that coverage makers set the stage for stepping up hydrogen manufacturing and distribution within the EU, and cultivating world provide chains.
Hartung additionally advocated for deploying hydrogen as an all-purpose, economy-wide enter. In that regard, it’s value mentioning that hydrogen is greater than a gasoline for EVs and inner combustion engines. Fashionable industrial economies are already steeped in hydrogen that’s front-loaded with fossil power. By turning to inexperienced hydrogen, industrialized economies can decarbonize their fertilizer and meals processing sectors in addition to prescription drugs, metallurgy, refining, private care product and different ubiquitous actions.
Inexperienced Hydrogen Goes With Energy Vegetation, Too
The pathway from water electrolysis to gasoline cells is a two-way road. Gasoline cells generate water when the hydrogen gasoline interacts with ambient oxygen. Producing inexperienced hydrogen from an electrolysis system basically works the identical course of in reverse, which explains why Bosch is inclined to pitch each electrolysis and gasoline cells below the identical roof.
They aren’t letting any grass develop below their ft. Bosch set to work on proton alternate membrane electrolysis methods earlier this 12 months. They anticipate to have 1.25-megawatt prototypes accessible for pilot purposes in brief order in direction of quantity manufacturing in 2025.
Except for its use in cellular gasoline cells, inexperienced hydrogen is coming into use for stationary purposes. Bosch is contemplating new stable oxide gasoline cell know-how for stationary use, and has recognized a hospital in Germany as a candidate for its first gasoline cell micro energy plant.
Bosch can also be amongst these advocating for inexperienced hydrogen to switch fossil gasoline in inner combustion engines. That might ultimately dovetail with the electrofuels pattern, which CleanTechnica has noticed in motorsports. For the right here and now, although, Bosch is focusing available on the market for heavier-than-usual heavy obligation lengthy haul vehicles, the place further juice is required.
Bosch expects its hydrogen engine to be prepared for manufacturing subsequent 12 months. That appears significantly bold, however as Bosch explains, “greater than 90 % of the event and manufacturing applied sciences wanted for it exist already.”
The large query is whether or not or not an ample provide of inexperienced hydrogen will likely be accessible. Bosch plans to run its stationary gasoline cell on pure gasoline till the inexperienced hydrogen provide chain ramps up, and the identical technique could also be in play for its hydrogen engine.
When it comes to local weather safety that’s not an optimum resolution, although a sensible one. It’s additionally in step with exercise in the gasoline turbine market, the place producers are designing generators that may incorporate rising quantities of inexperienced hydrogen as provides turn into accessible.
Talking of local weather safety, the deadline for significant motion is already heaving into view, alongside a harmful streak of pessimism. Corporations like Bosch assist beat again the doomsayers once they pivot their large assets to decarbonization. The Bosch Group at present counts 470 totally different entities below the Robert Bosch GmbH umbrella unfold over 60 nations. Throw in gross sales and repair companions, and the attain extends to virtually each nation on Earth.
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Photograph: Bosch engineers are working with Nikola to develop the following technology of gasoline cell electrical vehicles, with an emphasis on inexperienced hydrogen (courtesy of Bosch).
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