Bosch scores major fuel cell deals in China; opens new plant
Bosch announced supplying 300 commercial vehicles equipped with its fuel cell systems to Shanxi Meijin Energy at the opening of the new site for Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems. The joint venture between Bosch and Qingling Motor was established in 2021. Shanxi Meijin Energy is actually a coal producer, but also considered an early purveyor of hydrogen solutions in China.
Bosch also signed contracts with several major customers, including Cosco Shipping and China Postal Express & Logistic, for a further 1,000 fuel cell logistics vehicles. Details of these orders, such as the schedule and financial scope, have not been disclosed.
Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems utilises various components from the Bosch plant in Wuxi (such as the fuel cell stack, air compressor with power electronics and control unit with sensors) and uses them to produce ready-to-install fuel cell systems. At present, the systems are primarily installed in models from JV partner Qingling. However, when the company was founded, it stated that it wanted to supply fuel cell systems to “as many” Chinese vehicle manufacturers as possible.
The FC systems on offer are available with 76, 134, 190 or 300 kW of power to cover various uses. The aim is to equip commercial vehicles for urban mobility, medium-duty logistics and long-haul transport. According to Bosch, the 300 kW fuel cell power module has already been deployed in customer vehicles for experimental purposes.
The Bosch management also attended the plants inauguration in Chongqing. “China is the largest market for new energy vehicles in the world, standing at the forefront of technological innovation and industrialization,” said Dr. Stefan Hartung, chairman of the Bosch board of management, “We aim to seize future opportunities and contribute to sustainable mobility in China through strategic investment and active collaboration with local partners.”
Duntao Jiang, vice mayor of Chongqing Municipal Government, said: “The inauguration of the new site not only marks a new starting point and a higher level of cooperation between Chongqing and Bosch, but also effectively promotes the build-up of a hydrogen energy industry ecosystem in Chongqing.”
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