Bosch has started operating its first fuel cell truck in in-plant logistics

The German technology company has started using a 40-ton Iveco with its own fuel cell system at its Nuremberg plant. Range - up to 800 km

The truck is equipped with a Bosch fuel cell power module (FCPM). Converting hydrogen and oxygen into water and electricity, the 40-ton machine operates entirely on electric traction. When using renewable hydrogen, the truck's powertrain becomes carbon-neutral.

The Iveco truck has a range of up to 800 kilometers. It is operated by the transportation company Schäflein on behalf of the Bosch plant. Schäflein, in turn, leases the vehicle from the provider Hylane, which specializes in emission-free trucks.

The truck's five hydrogen tanks hold up to 70 kilograms at a pressure of 700 bar. The fuel cell system delivers a total output of over 200 kW. The electric axle is driven by the fuel system, and two battery packs serve as energy storages. The total power output of the system is 400 kW.

The vehicle primarily transports the plant's own products. It is expected to travel 12,000 kilometers per year. However, aside from reducing emissions, the main reason for launching the truck is to gain experience and collect as much data as possible. This will be used in the further development of future powertrains, such as the Compact 190 and Compact 300 models.

In addition to durability and long range - which, unlike battery-powered electric vehicles, is not dependent on ambient temperature - the truck offers a short refueling time comparable to that of a diesel truck.

FCPM production began in Stuttgart-Feuerbach in mid-2023. The Bosch plant in Bamberg supplies the fuel cell stack, while the plant in Homburg provides other components, such as the electric air compressor and the recirculation fan.

Source: Bosch