Bosch pursues multiple power technology routes to reduce future risks

    Many people have the inherent impression that Europe has a solid foundation and is quite innovative in traditional automobiles, but the Japanese automobile industry is more advanced in new energy vehicle technology. However, the facts are changing rapidly.

    Recently, German auto parts supplier giant Bosch showcased a number of new research and development results at its global automotive technology media exchange conference. One of the focuses was more efficient and energy-saving powertrain technology, including a number of new energy vehicle technologies.

    Bosch has developed different power solutions for different types of vehicles, and also diversified the power energy options. For example, for small cars, Bosch has provided a method that combines high-pressure injection with turbocharging, and for medium and large vehicles, Bosch can provide electrification solutions to varying degrees. At the same time, Bosch is also actively developing compressed natural gas engine technology so that this technology, which is usually used in commercial vehicles, can be applied to passenger cars.

Hybrid power will be the main energy-saving power for a long time

    At the exchange meeting, the hydraulic hybrid system jointly developed by Bosch and French car manufacturer Peugeot Citroen attracted a lot of attention. Unlike traditional oil-electric hybrids, the Bosch hydraulic hybrid system converts the recovered braking energy into hydraulic energy instead of electrical energy. According to Bosch executives, this new drive solution can reduce fuel consumption by 30% on average, and can save up to 45% of fuel consumption in urban driving.

    Hybrid power is seen as a transitional technology from traditional internal combustion engines to pure electric vehicles. Earlier this year, hybrid power was not favored by some Chinese and European automakers, who invested more energy in the development of pure electric vehicles. The Chinese government even hoped to achieve technological "overtaking on a curve" through this.

    But it turns out that pure electric vehicles are still a long way from mass production and marketization. This is because electric vehicle charging and battery replacement require high infrastructure, and power batteries have yet to achieve breakthroughs in range and safety. The rapid improvement in fuel efficiency and regulatory standards has caused many European automakers to re-examine their power strategies - their improvements in traditional gasoline and diesel engines may not meet future standards.

    Europe's 2020 automobile emission standards have been basically finalized: average vehicle CO2 emissions per kilometer are less than 95 grams, which is about 27% lower than the 130 grams to be implemented in 2015. This standard is more ambitious than that of the United States and Asia, and it is a difficult challenge for most European manufacturers, especially those with large vehicles in their product structure.

    Bosch believes that even with improved internal combustion engine systems, large vehicles will still not be able to achieve the above CO2 emissions targets. Therefore, by 2020, large vehicles must be equipped with higher-performance hybrid systems. Bosch is currently developing a new hybrid system for mid-sized vehicles, which is expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 7%, and it provides a strong hybrid system for large vehicles, which can reduce fuel consumption by up to 25%.

    Currently, Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne have adopted Bosch's oil-electric hybrid system. As Bosch's first hydraulic hybrid system, it will surpass the traditional oil-electric hybrid system in fuel efficiency, with energy saving efficiency of more than 30%. These hybrid technologies will greatly reduce emissions while reducing fuel consumption.

Pure electric is still the future direction

    Although electric vehicles are developing slowly at present, Bosch believes that this is still an important direction for the development of future automotive power. Bosch predicts that in 2020, there will be 110 million new registered vehicles worldwide, of which 12 million will use electrified drive systems. In the next 10 years, the number of vehicles using electrified drive systems will rise rapidly.

    "Our forecast is not groundless," said Dr. Bernd Bohr, chairman of Bosch's automotive technology business, in his speech at the exchange meeting. This forecast is the result of a detailed analysis of technology and the market. Bosch's assessment also combines international policies and relevant regulations, especially those related to environmental and climate protection.

    The latest news shows that Bosch has reached a cooperation with Japan's Yuasa International Group and Mitsubishi Corporation to jointly develop a new type of lithium-ion battery. The new battery technology is expected to at least double the range of existing electric vehicles, while the cost per kilowatt-hour is only half of the previous one. This will greatly increase consumers' interest in electric vehicles.

    Currently, Bosch has provided an integrated solution for the pure electric drive system for the Fiat 500e. Similarly, Bosch's plug-in hybrid system has also been used for the Porsche Panamera for the first time. By 2014, Bosch expects to complete 30 powertrain electrification project orders. This reflects that the demand for electrification in the automotive market has gradually become a trend.

    Bosch's active layout in vehicle electrification, as well as its accumulated technology and experience, will enable it to maintain sufficient competitiveness in future market competition. Bohr said that investment in electric mobility is actually an investment in the future of the industry, and Bosch alone currently invests 400 million euros in this field each year.

    “Don’t forget that Bosch is working towards the vision of everyone being able to afford a fully electric car,” Dr. Rolf Bulander, President of Bosch Petrol Systems, concluded his speech.

Providing technical support for natural gas power

    In addition to actively participating in electrification, Bosch is also providing technical support for natural gas powertrains. So far, compressed natural gas powertrains are usually equipped for buses and light vans, but in the near future, natural gas powertrains will be increasingly used in passenger cars and commercial vehicles. This is mainly because compressed natural gas is affordable, with a price that is 50% lower than gasoline. In addition, it also helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25% - this figure is much higher in terms of methane produced by biogas power plants. In Bosch's view, natural gas is an easy-to-use and environmentally friendly fuel.

    Compressed natural gas technology is already used in cars produced by Volkswagen, GM, Fiat and Tata. Bosch supplies the world's smallest and lightest natural gas injectors, as well as the most sensitive temperature sensors. The unique feature of this technology is that it is not noticeable even while driving. Today's natural gas-powered cars offer consistent performance whether using compressed natural gas or gasoline. Even switching from natural gas to gasoline is imperceptible.

    The biggest difference when using a Bosch CNG system is at the pump. Even so, customers can save more money than with other CNG solutions. When temperatures are low, the Bosch system starts in CNG mode and can therefore make full use of cheap natural gas. Systems from other suppliers must be warmed up and therefore run for several miles on expensive gasoline. With Bosch technology, however, only cheap natural gas is needed.

Conclusion:

    In addition to the above technologies, Bosch also demonstrated a number of traditional automotive energy-saving technologies at the exchange meeting, such as the start-stop system, diesel common rail, fuel injection and turbocharging, etc. These energy-saving technologies still have room for improvement. Bosch believes that the improvement of internal combustion engine technology is still the cornerstone of energy conservation and emission reduction in the automotive industry, and no company should ignore it in terms of strategy. In addition, Bosch also highlighted its many automation technologies, which are designed to improve traffic efficiency and reduce traffic accidents, while also reducing the waste of energy and social resources. Their value is also worth exploring.

    "What kind of system will drive future vehicle driving is making the entire automotive industry excited," said Dr. Bernd Bohr, Chairman of Bosch Automotive Technology Business, in his speech at the exchange meeting. Judging from Bosch's technical preparations, no matter which path will become mainstream in the future, Bosch seems to be well prepared.