North American market

In all market previews, the North American market will show the most dynamic growth for hybrid, pointed Manfred Walter out, Head of Competence Center for Hybrid Systems of Robert Bosch GmbH. Bosch estimates that about 50 different hybrid models will be worldwide available on the market by the year 2010. Conservative computations predict a world market share which increases from the presently one percent calculated for 2010 to five percent by 2025. In unit numbers this represents an increase to four million vehicles.

The cost/benefit analysis of the different concepts can be clearly demonstrated in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with hybrid drive assessed on the basis of the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) in comparison to traditionally powered vehicles. The gasoline hybrid has every potential to be on par with a diesel engine as regards output and costs, since due to the more sophisticated technology required for future exhaust-gas treatment the diesel will suffer from increased costs compared to the present situation. The American market, moreover, is very emotionally, stated Manfred Walter, inclined toward hybrid vehicles. Especially hybrid SUVs have a great market potential there. This is proven already now with vehicles such as Lexus RX 400h and Ford Escape. Other OEMs are very seriously considering marketing a hybrid
SUV in the United States as well.

Bosch Competence Center for Hybrid

Bosch has been involved in hybrid technology for more than
30 years. To underline the importance, a separate unit was founded last year, called "Bosch Competence Center for Hybrid Systems". The reason is that hybrid is more than the mere combination of individual technical components. The efficient functioning of hybrid vehicles requires an optimal tuning of combustion engine, electric motor, brakes and other systems. Only that will result in the intended improvement.
The integration of these systems can only be successfully achieved by the Original equipment manufacturers themselves or a widely experienced and competent supplier such as Bosch.

In the Bosch Competence Center for Hybrid Systems,
the company concentrates the knowledge accumulated in
the areas energy systems, brake, electronic, gasoline and
diesel injection systems. Some 100 employees are already intensively working in the project house on development and sale of hybrid systems. Staff from other Bosch divisions is additionally supporting, which means that currently a total of about 200 employees are focusing on this new business field.

Diesel or Hybrid?

Bosch is the leading company in diesel technology and therefore frequently confronted with the issue as to what should be the future focus, diesel or hybrid. The answer is:
it depends on the driving conditions, which of the two is more fuel efficient. The hybrid is strong in the city with a lot of stop-and-go traffic. The diesel scores as long haul. Bosch will continue to emphasize both technologies. This is, after all, what the company stands for: offering the best possible solution to its customers.

Functioning of the hybrid technology

The strong hybrid may serve as an example to explain the functioning in a typical traffic situation:

• The vehicle stands still. For starting up, the electric motor
  is the ideal power source, since it develops its maximum torque at that very point in time. The combustion engine starts up automatically when needed, that is when more power output is required.
  
  
• The vehicle accelerates dynamically with the combined output of both power sources, which simultaneously supply their maximum torque.
  
  
• When driving at a steady speed, the vehicle is powered by the combustion engine. The electric motor operates at this time as an alternator generating energy for the supply of the on-board electrical system's consumers and the battery.
  
  
• When braking, the kinetic energy is converted into electric energy which is used to charge the battery. This kind of energy is lost in conventional vehicles in form of generated waste heat in the brakes.
  
  
• As soon as the vehicle stops, the combustion engine automatically switches off. This saves fuel, reduces emissions and is considered frequently as a convenience factor due to the noise abatement.