Electrified mobility and systems

The future belongs to electrified drive and mobility solutions. Bosch Research is already developing these today.
Urbanization, Industrial Transformation and Electromobility
Sustainably generated electrical energy will be the dominant energy source of the future. This energy must be handled carefully, i.e. with the highest efficiency in conversion processes. This is because electrification will affect all areas of life, from mobility to building services engineering and all areas of industry. Bosch is already developing technologies for this networked world today that, in addition to the classic disciplines, also include the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The future of electromobility is highly integrated in many ways, while also reduced in complexity. For example, Bosch Research is researching an integrated e-drive train that takes account of the social environment and climate targets: Electric mobility reduces air and noise pollution, especially in metropolitan areas, and plays an important role in the sharing economy.
Electric Mobility and the Powertrain of the Future
Mobility is something like a basic human need. But in view of the challenges of climate change and the associated targets for reducing CO2 emissions, the demands on mobility are also changing – especially in cities. In these conurbations, aspects such as environmental protection, emissions and limited space are particularly important.
Therefore, in the long term, a wide variety of vehicle concepts from scooters to driverless shuttles will promise to transport people and goods over short and long distances. This also applies to construction sites that face the challenge of reducing emissions in metropolitan areas. An electric excavator, such as the one currently being thought up and tested by Bosch Research, might offer a solution here.
For electric vehicles (EVs), two drive or energy storage concepts will be decisive: Battery electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles with H2 storage.
Battery vs. Fuel Cell
The battery works like with any modern device – it stores electricity and needs to be recharged after use. Fuel cells generate electricity directly in the car by converting hydrogen into electricity – without burning it. One focus of the innovation field of chemical energy conversion therefore lies on the development of mobile fuel cells. These are mainly used in commercial vehicles but also in vehicles with high range requirements. By contrast, vehicles designed for shorter distances tend to be powered by batteries.
Smart Charging Solutions

The acceptance of e-mobility increases with comfort. Bosch is therefore contributing its domain knowledge for the integration of electric charging solutions to the expected mobility concepts and user behavior. The combination of decentralized power generation, for example through photovoltaic systems with charging points, and the role of vehicle electronics in the connected electric car is a research field with challenges and opportunities. Intelligent and reliable networks for energy distribution can optimize the energy networks themselves and minimize energy losses. Above all, however, smart charging solutions such as Smart Charging developed by Bosch Research should increase user acceptance.
Summary
Bosch researches electric vehicle concepts driven by batteries and mobile fuel cells both at system level of the integrated drive train and at component level in a networked and automated world. This also has an impact on areas outside the vehicles and ultimately supports the achievement of climate targets and simplifies the handling of these technological solutions for users.
Bosch Research Blog

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