in city delivery service and over long distances
from light transporters, through heavy trucks, to bulldozers in mining operation
Inner-city deliveries are booming and are especially driven by the online trade. That’s why there is a great demand for innovative powertrain solutions which subject local residents and the environment to as little noise and as few emissions as possible. Major opportunities for urban logistics are thus represented by low-noise, locally emission-free electric drives.
With its innovative eCityTruck concept, Bosch offers economical solutions for electrifying lightweight commercial vehicles of up to 7.5 tons – ideal for transporting goods right to the doorstep. And the locally emission-free drive also permits free access to environmental zones.
Heavy-duty truck manufactured by the Nikola Motor Company with fuel cell system and e-powertrain from Bosch
Before goods complete their final few kilometers to customers in inner-city areas, they usually need to be transported to the city limits in heavy-duty trucks. Bosch is working on electric powertrains especially for these requirements which set new standards in terms of electric range.
Together with the US startup Nikola Motor Company, Bosch is developing a revolutionary electric powertrain for trucks featuring a fuel cell system and hydrogen energy supply. This drive system offers nearly double the horsepower of any semi-truck on the road and operates in a very resource-friendly way at the same time.
In China, the largest market for electromobility and the world's biggest market for commercial vehicles, Bosch has agreed a strategic partnership with the Chinese commercial vehicle engine manufacturer Weichai in an effort to promote the fuel cell for commercial vehicles in China.
With this strategy, Bosch takes steps toward helping to shape the market for commercial vehicles with fuel cells right from the start and to push technical developments so far that fuel cell drives will also be able to assert themselves in passenger cars, too.
Electrically supported and electronically controlled steering systems are one of the key technologies for electrifying the powertrain. The electrohydraulic power steering pump (EHPS) provides the amount of oil and pressure that is needed at any time to operate the hydraulic steering systems of medium-duty and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. It consists of two electric motors, each with power electronics and a vane pump which is driven by the motors. Thanks to its power-on-demand principle, the EHPS requires up to 70% less energy than conventional power steering pumps.
More information about steering systems for commercial vehicles
Bosch is also developing new electromobility solutions for off-highway applications. After all, electric powertrains and hybrid solutions offer many interesting advantages in this sector, based on reduced emissions, their compact design and low-noise operation. Add to this the time- and cost-saving elimination of maintenance, such as oil changes. And depending on the application, there are other advantages, too.
The tailored systems offered by Bosch Engineering for sweeping machines, luggage haulers and bulldozers are based on tried-and-tested large-series components from Bosch and are perfectly aligned with one another.
More information about electric powertrains for off-highway applications
Specially for the requirements at airports and parallel to the hybrid powertrain, Bosch Engineering has developed an electric powertrain system with fuel cell for use in luggage hauler trucks. Using this emission-free drive, the hauler truck can stay on the move without a charging break or any restrictions in range for an entire eight-hour shift.
With the system developed exactly in line with customer requirements, Bosch Engineering proves its particular core competences in the area of individual system designs, in the development of highly efficient operating strategies, and in the construction of prototypes.
