Race Between Battery and Fuel Cell: Bosch Launches Fuel Cell Field Trial in Commercial Vehicles
Stuttgart – Battery-electric drivetrains currently dominate the market ramp-up for zero-emission commercial vehicles. At the same time, manufacturers and suppliers are advancing fuel cell systems for applications that require long ranges, short refueling times and high daily mileage. Bosch is pursuing both technologies and is now launching the first field trial of its new fuel cell system in public transit service in Spain.
Bosch Fuel Cell: First Customer Deployment in Madrid Transit Service, 1,000 km Range
Bosch has started the first customer trial of its Fuel Cell Power Module (FCPM) C190. The system is installed in a bus built by Spanish manufacturer Irizar, which is being operated by bus company Alsa in regular transit service in Madrid for several weeks. Following extensive testing and homologation, the field deployment is intended to demonstrate the system's performance and reliability under everyday operating conditions.
The FCPM C190 fuel cell system is based on a horizontally arranged dual-stack design and delivers 190 kW of continuous output. According to Bosch, the available hydrogen tank volume enables ranges of more than 1,000 kilometers with refueling times of just 10 to 15 minutes. This makes the system particularly suitable for city, regional and intercity buses with high daily mileage. Bosch also offers the more compact FCPM C100 for city buses and the higher-output FCPM C300 for coaches and heavy trucks.
Bosch Backs Both Battery and Hydrogen
With the pilot project, Bosch is expanding its portfolio for zero-emission commercial vehicle drivetrains. On the battery side, the company develops and produces a broad range of components and systems for electric vehicles, spanning electric motors, power electronics and inverters, integrated electric axle drives (eAxles), vehicle control units, thermal management systems and other components for the electric drivetrain.
In parallel, Bosch is expanding its hydrogen business across the entire value chain. The portfolio ranges from PEM electrolysers for hydrogen production to components for hydrogen combustion engines and fuel cell systems in various power classes for buses and heavy commercial vehicles. With this technology-open approach, Bosch is positioning itself as a systems supplier for the two currently leading zero-emission drivetrain concepts in commercial transport.
Battery vs. Fuel Cell: Battery-Electric Drives Currently Lead Market Ramp-Up
The zero-emission commercial vehicle market is currently shaped primarily by battery-electric drivetrains. Falling battery costs, increasing ranges and the expansion of high-performance charging infrastructure continue to improve their competitiveness.
Fuel cell systems, meanwhile, are still seen as a promising alternative, particularly for applications requiring long ranges, short refueling times and long daily operating hours. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), however, competitive pressure on fuel cell vehicles is increasing. Advances in battery technology and the expansion of megawatt charging systems are increasingly narrowing the range and refueling-time advantage fuel cells have traditionally held. Broader competitiveness for fuel cells, the IEA notes, will depend in particular on lower costs for hydrogen, vehicles and refueling infrastructure.
Source: IWR Online, 29 Jul 2026
