Germany / USA – Earlier this month, Robert Bosch GmbH, started series production of its “fuel cell power module” at its plant in Stuttgart-Feuerbach, Germany, with U.S. startup, Nikola Corporation as its first customer with its Class 8 hydrogen truck set to enter the North American market in Q3 this year. The company has remained tight-lipped on production numbers. Although the final assembly of the fuel cell system will take place in Stuttgart-Feuerbach, the stacks come from Bosch’s plant in Bamberg whilst the factory in Homburg delivers the system components, including the electric air compressor.

The German multinational has committed a further EUR 2.5 billion over the next five years to support the expansion of its hydrogen fuel cell technology as the company expects to generate roughly EUR 5 billion in sales from it by 2030. Issues surrounding energy efficiency and a lack of hydrogen efficiency continue to plague the technology, but Bosch believes that for the heavy-duty transportation industry, hydrogen technology is a necessity and expects one in five new trucks weighing six tonnes or more, to feature fuel-cell powertrains by 2030. Bosch is confident in its ability to scale production and use its global manufacturing footprint to help develop the “hydrogen economy” quickly and effectively. This, however, will need the help of policymakers, it states.