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Bosch tests fuel cell vans
Vans get goods to their destination quickly, ideally using a powertrain with zero local emissions. But the longer the journey and heavier the vehicle, the more a battery-based electric drive reaches its limits. And that is where the strengths of the fuel cell come into play. Bosch has now equipped two vans with this technology and started test operations on the road. “The fuel cell enables long ranges and short refuelling times, which makes long journeys more economical,” said Dr Markus Heyn, member of the Bosch board of management and chairman of the Mobility Solutions business sector. “With the two fuel cell vans, we are expanding our understanding of the system and showing that the fuel cell can also be a suitable drive solution for light commercial vehicles.” The partner in the project is ABT eLine GmbH, which designed and converted the vehicles together with Bosch Engineering GmbH. At IAA Transportation in Hanover, Bosch is offering interested visitors the opportunity to experience the test vehicles and Bosch fuel cell technology in action on a track. Largely Bosch components in use
The developers were able to use Bosch components almost throughout for the fuel cell system. A fuel cell kit is used, which comprises the stack, anode supply module including hydrogen gas injector and recirculation blower, electronic control unit, electric air compressor and components for the hydrogen storage system, and even a large number of sensors. The technical basis for both vehicles is commercially available vans that run on electric power alone. The batteries including peripherals were now replaced by the fuel cell, five storage tanks for a total of over 10 kilograms of hydrogen, and a smaller lithium-ion battery. “Accommodating the fuel cell components in the available installation space was a major challenge,” Bosch Powertrain Solutions Division President, Dr Uwe Gackstatter, said. The partner ABT eLine adapted the cooling system, the vehicle control system, and the electrical system. Bosch designed the fuel cell system, integrated it into the vehicle together with the hydrogen storage system, and developed the associated control system. After the required technical tests, the vehicles were granted official approval for road use. The project is already providing important insights: even loaded, the vehicles can travel up to 540 kilometres and are fully refuelled again in six minutes. The fuel cell can therefore be a good addition to the battery-electric drive in future for fleet operators whose vans cover particularly long distances during the day and return to the maintenance and storage facility in the evening. Fuel cell and hydrogen ready for the next step
The first Bosch components for fuel cells are already in volume production, but the work is far from over. “We need as much data as possible from real driving operations to develop the system further,” Dr Gackstatter said. Thanks to cloud connectivity, the two test vehicles now deliver these in real-time to the developers’ computers, supplementing the measured values from the test benches. With this knowledge, Bosch can offer customers components that have been tried and tested even earlier, as well as comprehensive support in system design. However, further steps are still necessary for fuel technology to make a breakthrough. “Industry and politics must work together to remove obstacles to hydrogen technologies,” Dr Gackstatter warns. For example, the development of a tank infrastructure and the production of green hydrogen in larger quantities remain tasks that can only be solved together. For more information, visit www.bosch.com.au
BATTLE FOR SEMA LAUNCH PAD PRIZE PACKAGE HEATS UP
Fifteen entrepreneurs and innovators of automotive products are competing for the prizes
The 10th annual SEMA Launch Pad competition was held recently at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. As part of the competition, 15 entrepreneurs and small business leaders pitched their automotiverelated products to a panel of judges. These 15 semifinalists were chosen from a large pool of applicants. Their pitches included interactive demonstrations, question answering, product innovations, and more. The Launch Pad judging panel consisted of Chip Foose (Foose Design), Jared Hare (Addictive Desert Designs), Myles Kovacs (TIS Wheels), and Alex Parker (Redline Detection). This group carefully listened to pitches for hours and evaluated the diverse range of products. These included custom accessories and tools, performance aftermarket products, tire kits, retrofit kits, and mobile apps for the automotive community. There were also innovations related to the growing electric vehicle (EV) community and demands related to advanced driver assist systems (ADAS). “This year’s SEMA Launch Pad competition is fierce,” Launch Pad Judge, Alex Parker, said. “The judges were blown away by the level of innovation, creativity, and sheer grit that these competitors brought. Their passion and their products are so inspirational, and each of these competitors should be very proud.” The 15 semi-finalists will each receive a one-year SEMA membership, a complimentary booth in the SEMA Launch Pad Pavilion at the 2022 SEMA Show in November, and other items totaling to a prize package valued at $4,000. Five finalists, who will be announced later this year, will advance to pitch their products at the 2022 SEMA Show, where they will compete for a grand prize that includes free advertising space in SEMA News, use of the services from the SEMA Garage, discounts on SEMA Data, and thousands of dollars in cash for a total value of up to $92,000. The 15 semifinalists are Fabian Araujo, Andrew Auble, Robert Carale, Jesse Freeman, Dustin Golat, Jake Hamann, Jacob Hawksworth, Conrad Mohr IV, Susan Pieper, Frank Terlep, Irvin Vance, Daniel Whittington, Andrew Wiess, Kevin Robinson, and Kai Tan. The competition will be featured in a nationwide TV special airing after the SEMA Show. For more information, visit www.sema.org/launchpad
The show concluded with strong international support across the automotive supply chain
After a two-year hiatus, Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City returned as one of Vietnam’s most resilient automotive industry events recently. The exhibition took place from the 29th of June to the 1st of July 2022 with bolstered online services through V-Connect that successfully connected the wider global community. Praise also extended to the show’s unique range of events that vibrantly captured opportunities in the local market and offered vital educational touchpoints for aftermarket service providers. Key figures from Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City 2022 included: • 173 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions • 10,000 sqms of indoor and outdoor exhibition space • Six country and region pavilions • 10,112 visitors from 42 countries and regions • 570,904 impressions on V-Connect from 90 countries and regions • Seven concurrent fringe programme events “We channelled a lot of our efforts into championing the sustained growth and development of Vietnam’s automotive industry,” Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd Deputy General Manager, Fiona Chiew, said. “We geared many of our onsite activities and online solutions to highlight domestic opportunities to global audiences. And so, it was very promising to see a solid response from overseas professionals taking part in the physical show and engaging with services on V-Connect.” During the three-day show, there was a strong sense of optimism about the local and regional market prospects, with many industry players keen to get back to business and interact with onsite activities. For the first time, V-Connect was a vital part of the Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City’s toolkit, with many appreciating remote gateways to onsite exhibitors, conferences and workshops. Australia, Cambodia, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the UAE, the US and Vietnam took up a large proportion of registered visitors from 90 countries and regions. Analytics from online users suggest that the most popular sectors explored included OEMs, passenger vehicles and aftermarket solutions. Importantly, these interest areas lined up with the show’s main highlights in Automotive Manufacturing and Automation, Automotive Services and Maintenance, and Accessories and Customising. Across the arena, a collection of educational and experiential events zeroed in on Vietnam’s distinct trends and needs in the automotive industry. Elsewhere, the Auto Service Day was one of the most popular activity areas at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center. The fair is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, Chan Chao International Co Ltd and Yorkers Exhibition Service Vietnam. For more information, visit www.automechanika-hcmc.com
WIN THE COOLEST HOLIDAY WITH COOLDRIVE
A $85,000 prize pool features a trip to SEMA 2023 amongst other great prizes
CoolDrive Auto Parts customers can win big during the family-owned company’s ‘Coolest Holiday Giveaways’ promotion. Throughout October and November 2022, CoolDrive trade customers will receive one entry in the prize draw for every $50 + GST spent on air conditioning or engine cooling products from participating brands. “Automotive workshops throughout Australia and New Zealand have had some tough and challenging times over the past few years, and we really wanted to incentivise and reward our customers with an exciting new promotion,” CoolDrive Auto Parts General Manager – Marketing, Jock Harris, said. “Up for grabs are a number of holiday getaway packages for a well-earned break, along with gift vouchers from well-known brands and companies.” The travel experiences include trips to Las Vegas, skiing holidays in New Zealand, as well as beach holidays in Fiji, Bali, and Cairns to take in the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. The first prize is surely any automotive industry professional’s dream trip to the SEMA Show 2023 in Las Vegas including flights and accommodation, and of course tickets to the premier automotive speciality product’s trade event. A number of gift vouchers can also be won during the promotion for stores such JB Hi-Fi, Drummond Golf (Golf Warehouse for winners located in New Zealand), BCF (EquipOutdoors for New Zealand), and Rebel Sport, bringing the total prize pool to $85,000. The participating brands cover the breadth and depth of CoolDrive’s comprehensive air conditioning and engine cooling offerings and include Denso, Valeo, Koyoair, Koyorad, Doowoon, Jayair, Jayrad, Sanden, Viper, Unicla, Ariazone, CPS, Maradyne, Parker, Aisin, Tridon, Nissens, Behr-Hella and Mahle. CoolDrive says air conditioning is at the very heart and soul of its business, with the company being the first to introduce to the market complete air conditioning systems in 1977. Today, CoolDrive says it is regarded as one of the industry’s largest suppliers of original equipment and aftermarket automotive air conditioning components. CoolDrive is also a leading distributor for engine cooling parts such as complete radiator assemblies, heater cores, intercoolers, oil coolers, fan clutches as well as cooling system accessories including hoses, caps and water pumps. For further information on CoolDrive Auto Parts, visit www.cooldrive.com.au
