Bosch and Chinese premium commercial vehicle manufacturer Qingling Motors have established a joint venture in China, named Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems (Chongqing).
The new company will design, manufacture, and sell fuel cell systems – known as Fuel Cell Power Modules – to the Chinese market. The aim is to combine all partners’ technological and commercial capabilities in order to contribute to the growth of the Chinese fuel cell market and the transformation of the Chinese automotive industry.
The joint venture intends to supply fuel cell systems to all Chinese car manufactures. The fuel cell stack, air compressor with power electronics, and control unit with sensors are all supplied by Bosch, primarily from the Wuxi factory. This year, small-scale development will begin there.
A demonstration fleet of 70 Qingling trucks outfitted with Bosch’s Fuel Cell Power Module will also reach the road in 2021. The fuel cell technology is expected to hit the market in 2022/2023.
“We are now literally picking up speed in the industrialization of the fuel cell. Innovative technologies and strategic partnerships are the ideal fuel for rapidly achieving the goal of making road traffic as climate-neutral as possible.
“China is the most important growth market for electromobility. Especially for large, heavy vehicles that travel long distances, the fuel cell offers clear advantages over the battery-electric powertrain.”
Stefan Hartung, Bosch board of management member and chairman of the Mobility Solutions business sector.
“We are pleased to continue our successful cooperation with Bosch. The recent cooperation not only represents a milestone on the path to the industrialization of the mobile fuel cell, but also a significant contribution to the further development of the Chinese automotive industry.”
Du Weidong, chairman of Qingling Motors.
