Bosch to Build Hybrid Systems

Bosch, a major automotive equipment manufacturer, will launch its own micro hybrid system that is designed to easily integrate into existing vehicles. The so-called "Smart Electronic Start/Stop System" will do just that: the system automatically stops the engine when the vehicle comes to a standstill and starts it up again once the driver engages the clutch. The system increases fuel efficiency by as much as eight percent. Bosch says its Start/Stop System requires little modification to install, making large deployment in the near future a real possibility. The company plans to begin production of the micro hybrid system sometime this year.

Bosch has even bigger hybrid plans, with "mild" and "strong" hybrid systems currently under development in addition to the micro hybrid system. The mild hybrid system would incorporate an electric motor with up to 34 hp that could boost the combustion engine and recapture lost energy, resulting in fuel savings of up to 15 percent. The strong hybrid system uses a stronger motor of about 100 hp that could power the vehicle by itself for short distances. Bosch says such a system can improve fuel economy by 20 percent. Bosch is ramping up its hybrid effort in anticipation of growing hybrid market share particularly in the North American market. The company expects 50 different hybrid models to be on sale worldwide by 2010.