Bosch has put its very-first hydrogen truck into operation at its service plant in Nuremberg.
The IVECO electric truck is equipped with Bosch’s own fuel-cell power module (FCPM), which recently received a nomination for the German Future Prize.
With a range of up to 800km; the vehicle is operated by freight forwarder Schäflein on behalf of Bosch, with the former renting the vehicle itself from provider Hylane, a company specialising in emissions-free trucks.
The 40-tonne vehicle is expected to cover roughly 12,000km per year, reducing Bosch’s CO2 emissions through its exclusive use of hydrogen energy.
Bosch also aims to gather experience and data from the trial, which will in turn be utilised in the development of future powertrain systems such as the Compact 190 and Compact 300 models.
Alexander Weichsel, Bosch's commercial plant manager in Nuremberg, said:The fact we’ve had no problems operating this truck shows that the fuel cell is ready for volume production.
The key to a successful hydrogen economy is above all to ensure an abundance of affordable hydrogen and put in place an adequate H2 infrastructure, including in Nuremberg. We’re actively working with industrial partners in the Nuremberg metropolitan region to implement Bavaria’s hydrogen strategy.
The truck’s five hydrogen tanks are capable of holding up to 70kg at a pressure of 700 bar, with its fuel-cell system delivering a total output of over 200 kilowatts. Its e-axle is powered by its fuel-cell system, whilst two central battery packs serve as energy storage.
With a system output of 400 kilowatts and a gross weight rating of up to 44 metric tonnes; the truck offers refuelling times similar to those of a diesel vehicle.
Large-scale production of the truck first began in Stuttgart-Feuerbach in mid-2023.
