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Clean air is possible through smart engine technology

Bosch provides solutions through advancement in electrical powertrain components and braking technology

  • Globally, air pollution kills seven million people annually
  • Bosch’s 48-Volt hybrid battery designed to reduce fuel consumption, achieving a reduction in CO2
  • iBooster with ESP®hev generates 95 percent less brake dust, helping to alleviate particulate-emission concerns in cities
  • Acquisition of EM-motive positions Bosch as market leader in electromobility
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Singapore – Urbanization is fundamentally transforming many aspects of life. As cities get increasingly modernized, so do the demands for transportation and mobility. The 2016 United Nations’ World Cities report states that by 2030, there will be at least five billion city dwellers globally, and in Southeast Asia alone, some 90 million people will move into cities. Estimates indicate that urban traffic is likely to triple between now and 2050, leading to rising levels of congestion, traffic accidents, and pollution.

“Bosch envisions urban mobility to be stress-free, accident-free, and emission-free. This vision becomes achievable with a sustainable ecosystem that integrates alternative transport solutions and optimizes motorized vehicles to make them safer, more comfortable, and more efficient,” said Martin Hayes, president of Bosch in Southeast Asia.

A study conducted by the World Economic Forum reveals that globally, air pollution kills seven million people annually and cuts 1.8 years off the average person’s life. With much of Southeast Asia choking under a thick layer of smog, countries are using extreme forms of weather modification, like cloud seeding and fog dispersal, in an attempt to clear toxic skies. In Thailand for example, the amount of harmful PM 2.5 dust particles have exceeded safe limits in Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces. This example alone illustrates that all possible areas must be considered together in the search for possible solutions.

Bosch solutions for urban mobility

Worldwide, Bosch-made electrical powertrain components are already powering more than half a million vehicles on the road. The rise of electrified powertrains represents major progress on the way to better air quality in cities.

48-Volt hybrid battery system

Automakers everywhere are all striving to cut down CO2 emissions. In practice, this means reducing cars’ fuel consumption and the Bosch 48-Volt battery is designed to do precisely that. For instance, the lithium-ion cells Bosch uses are as compact as possible, while still achieving a reduction in CO2. Bosch’s innovative 48-Volt battery is standardized for easy integration into new vehicle models – from compact cars, mini-, and microcars. Its affordability also makes it possible for the powertrain to quickly become a hybrid for everybody. As the mass market for hybrid expands, Bosch expects its battery to find success in the region as well.

Production of the battery started in late 2018. Anticipating a large market for entry-level hybrids, Bosch offers other powertrain components for these models in addition to the 48-Volt battery. The company estimates that some 15 million 48-Volt hybrid vehicles will be on the road by 2025.

95 percent less brake dust with regenerative braking systems

The braking system is one of the most important elements of safety equipment in a vehicle. The system convert the brake force applied by the driver into the required braking effect in an optimal way, ensuring the vehicle safely and comfortably comes to a stop. Today however, there is another reason that braking systems are at the center of public attention: carbon emissions. Most particulate pollution from road traffic is caused by road, tire, and brake wear, rather than fuel combustion. According to a German state environmental agency, brakes and tires are responsible for 32 percent of driving-particulate emissions; roughly half of which is brake dust. Significantly reducing brake dust is therefore essential to improving the air, especially in cities.

Regenerative braking systems enable recuperation of braking energy instead of using the friction brake, and make braking emission-free. More efficient combustion engines require modular and scalable vacuum-independent solutions for the braking system. The iBooster, an electromechanical brake booster, can be used with all drivetrain configurations and is particularly suited to hybrid and electric vehicles. This vacuum-independent brake booster shortens braking distances, and makes hybrid and electric vehicles more efficient with reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions – particularly in urban traffic situations involving frequent braking and acceleration. When combined with ESP®hev, a vacuum-based regenerative braking system for hybrid and electric vehicles, energy recuperation can lead to 95 percent less brake dust.

Future of mobility

Energy-efficient powertrain systems are a key solution for challenges in energy and climate change. Bosch believes that optimized internal combustion engines and electric drive systems also have a major role to play in the future of urban mobility, and continues to develop and improve both types of powertrain.

Earlier this year, Bosch acquired full stake in EM-motive, one of Europe’s electric motors manufacturers. Set up by Bosch and Daimler in 2011 as a fifty-fifty joint venture, EM-motive has since manufactured some 450,000 electric motors. This acquisition is a logical step forward for Bosch as a leader in electromobility, to continue pushing the boundaries of what is technically feasible.

“For Bosch, ensuring clean air in cities is not far-fetched. Our engineers have made innovative leaps in developing technology that will help ensure our cities a more liveable and sustainable place to live,” concluded Hayes.

Get in touch with Bosch

Zairynn Yazmi
Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications (Southeast Asia)

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