Hydrogen internal combustion engines could help lower CO2, Bosch engineers say

Hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines could become part of the drivetrain technological solutions to reduce tailpipe pollutants and CO2 emissions, Robert Bosch experts said.

So-called hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicle (HICEV) powertrains could be derived from existing modular engine and powertrain kits, according to a presentation for the annual Vienna Motor Symposium.

They could be introduced for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles alongside fuel cell vehicles to increase demand for zero-emissions hydrogen vehicles, the engineers said.

Fuel cell drivetrains and hydrogen internal combustion engines can use the same system components, so development costs and development risks are reduced, they said.

Hydrogen internal combustion engines "can be complemental to fuel cells in order to make a contribution for the realization of CO2-free powertrains," the presentation said.

The presentation was authored by Thomas Pauer, Heiko Weller and Erik Schuenemann from Bosch, and Helmut Eichlseder, Peter Grabner and Klaus Schaffer from the Graz University of Technology's Institute of Internal Combustion Engines and Thermodynamics.