German Tier 1 supplier Bosch is expanding its zero-emission light commercial vehicle (LCV) technology by investing in both battery-electric powertrains (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cells (FCEVs).
Bosch this week said it has begun mass production of new electric actuators for trucks and midsize trucks, consisting of an electric motor and an integrated inverter that provides connection to a voltage battery pack. high.
The LCV electric actuator is based on existing technology used in the passenger car segment.
This Bosch-developed electric actuator will be manufactured at the Hildesheim, Germany plant and will debut on a Daimler truck of some kind at an unspecified date, supplemented by a DC/DC converter. and Bosch vehicle controllers.
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Electric actuator
One potential Daimler truck with this electric drive system that could debut is the new generation Mitsubishi eCanter light truck, which will enter production in mid-2023.
This is new electric actuator can generate max 129kW power, with the constant power of 100kWand the maximum torque is 430Nm of torque.
Bosch claims that even in a vehicle weighing 8.5 tons, it will have “outstanding driving performance in all situations”.
The German supplier says the electric motor and inverter weigh about 80kg, adding that due to its “flexible construction”, it can be integrated into existing and new models.
Also thanks to the new semiconductor, Bosch claims an inverter efficiency level of 97%, thus increasing the vehicle’s operating range.
“Bosch is driving electronic mobility and also commercial vehicles,” said Bosch board member Dr. Markus Heyn.
“Compared to its predecessors, the new engine offers higher power and torque densities, and is even lighter and more compact.”
Battery-powered vehicles have zero local emissions and contribute to improved air quality and reduced noise pollution, but as vehicles get heavier and travel longer, the power of hydrogen fuel cells comes into play.
Bosch is also currently testing two demonstration devices Volkswagen Crafter trucks equipped with hydrogen fuel cell components in cooperation with the German electromechanical company ABT eLine.
Consisting of the majority of components developed by Bosch, hydrogen fuel cell drive unit in two test vehicles including one fuel cell stack, anode supply module“a large number of sensors”, as well as five tanks with a total capacity of more than 10kg of hydrogen.
Bosch claims that even under load, the test vehicles can move up to 540km and can be fully refueled in six minutes.
“We needed as much data as possible from actual driving operations to develop the system further,” said Bosch Powertrains Solutions President, Dr. Uwe Gackstatter.
Bosch will display and demonstrate the technology of these two FCEV test trucks at the upcoming IAA Transport show in Hanover, Germany, from September 20-25.
Hydrogen fuel cell technology is currently considered a developing technology that is understood to be most viable for large-scale, commercial uses.
Auto manufacturers like Toyota, BMW car, Hyundai and Land Rover are now considered advocates of the technology.
Opposite, Mercedes-Benz has left hydrogen in all heavy commercial vehicles, and the respective heads of Volkswagen and Teslapreviously labeled FCEV as a distraction.
There are currently only a few publicly available hydrogen refueling stations in Australia. One is run by Toyota in Altona, Victoriaand another operated by ActewAGL in Canberra. Both serve government or council passenger convoys.
Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland have recently announced that they are collaborating on a super highway refueling renewable hydrogen to connect the east sea of the country.
Up to six stations are under development in Queensland, each led by a different company. One of these stations will be a BP truck stops at Port of Brisbane.
The Federal Government of Albanese also has Hydrogen Highway Planprovides hydrogen refueling stations along Australia’s busiest freight routes to support fuel cell trucks.
