Vienna Motor Symposium 2013

Bosch believes vehicles can become even more fuel-efficient

• Innovative Bosch technology reduces CO2 emissions in all segments
• The most efficient engines in today’s compact class are already 2020-compliant
• CNG engines save money and help protect the environment

Stuttgart/Vienna – Bosch, the global supplier of technology and services, is confident that the EU fleet emissions targets of 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer are technically feasible. “We are working on innovative solutions with the aim of further improving engines across vehicle classes.

Further reductions in fuel consumption are possible, but will involve considerable additional costs in some cases,” said Dr. Volkmar Denner, the chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH with special responsibility for research and development, at the Vienna Motor Symposium 2013. “From a Bosch viewpoint, it is essential that the further development of the powertrain be regarded from a cost-benefit perspective.”

In all vehicle segments, Bosch sees technical potential for reducing CO2 emissions even further, thus protecting the environment and conserving resources. Even today, compact cars equipped with the latest technology meet the EU targets. The most advanced diesel in this segment emits just 81 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Its gasoline counterpart manages 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer. In compact cars, the emissions targets for 2020 are within striking distance, and in some cases already reality. Improvements to engines can reduce fleet values further.

Especially in the middle class, price is an important criterion. This is why Bosch is also working to make engines in this segment even cleaner and more efficient, but at the same time affordable. This calls for new components. For example, there are systems that can effectively recuperate braking energy, allowing a mild electrification of the powertrain. Even in the middle class, therefore, further efforts will allow the very ambitious EU target for 2020 to be met: modern diesel engines in this class now emit 105 grams of CO2 per kilometer, and modern gasoline engines 115 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Plug-in hybrid systems further enhance premium segment

For many automakers, these developments in compact and middle-class vehicles make sense. The more economical a vehicle fleet’s high-volume compact models are, the better they can offset the emissions from SUVs. In the premium class, simply optimizing the internal-combustion engine is no longer enough for reaching CO2 targets. Additional savings can be achieved by further reducing drag and weight. At the same time, the automotive supplier Bosch is developing efficient plug-in hybrid systems that make it possible to drive up to 60 kilometers purely on electricity. 

Using systems such as these, even an SUV can reduce its emissions. However, this will also mean that this vehicle class will cost more. On the other hand, the plug-in hybrid offers extra functions that further enhance the premium segment. A car equipped with this powertrain is almost silent when driven electrically, but nonetheless has the same range as a car with a combustion engine. And the torque of the second, electrical powertrain provides a boost effect, making the car more fun to drive.

In addition to powertrain electrification, Bosch sees potential for installing economical CNG engines in all vehicle classes. “CNG systems can already help reduce CO2 at a low additional cost. In this area, Bosch components have a technical edge,” Denner said. “However, in order to increase the market penetration of CNG vehicles, the infrastructure has to be significantly expanded.” 

As the world’s leading automotive supplier, Bosch offers a broad range of systems and components that contribute to conserving resources and increasing energy efficiency. With sales of 31.1 billion euros in 2012, the Automotive Technology business sector accounted for 59 percent of Bosch’s total sales. The business sector counts roughly 177,000 associates worldwide, of which 33,000 are development engineers.

For more information, visit www.bosch.com.ph and follow Bosch on Twitter (@BoschPH).