“The total cost of ownership is decisive”

The commercial vehicle sector faces significant challenges in achieving defossilization while maintaining operational costs and performance. Dr. Thomas Wintrich, Senior Vice President of Fuel Cell Mobility Solutions at Robert Bosch GmbH, explores the advantages and challenges of different powertrains, with a focus on fuel cell drive systems. He discusses the high costs of systems, hydrogen availability, and the need for political support to drive hydrogen technologies forward. Wintrich also explains the importance of optimizing the interaction between fuel cells and high-voltage batteries to improve system efficiency and component life. The article highlights the current service life of fuel cells and future targets, as well as the various factors limiting system service life. Additionally, it delves into the future of hydrogen refueling methods and the expected technology mix in the commercial vehicle sector. Wintrich forecasts that fuel cell drive systems will be particularly suitable for long-haul applications, while battery-electric drive systems are more likely for urban delivery services. The article concludes with a comparison of refueling times between fuel cell and battery-electric vehicles, emphasizing the advantages of fuel cell systems in long-haul operations.