Bosch will start producing hydrogen fuel cell technology in the United States by investing more than $200 million in the production of fuel cell stacks at its plant in Anderson, South Carolina.

The investment is expected to create at least 350 jobs by the start of production in 2026.

The stack is the heart of the fuel cell module that powers Class 8 heavy duty trucks, allowing them to operate without carbon dioxide emissions. According to Bosch, fuel cell technology will replace larger and heavier battery-electric powertrains.

Mike Mansuetti, president of Bosch North America, said: As part of its diversified approach to powertrain technology, the announcement that Bosch has started its first fuel cell-related production in the United States to meet growing demand from local customers is an important milestone. . ”

Bosch has already started expansion work at the Anderson plant to support fuel cell technology. Capital upgrades include an estimated 147,000 square feet. (13,660 sqm) of floor space, where fuel cell stacks are manufactured as well as supporting a clean room and temperature controlled environment.

The production of fuel cell stacks at Anderson expands Bosch’s existing global production of fuel cell stacks, including key subcomponents. A single stack consists of 3,200 assembled individual parts, over 400 layers, and over 100 unique components.

“Bringing fuel cell technology to market at scale requires a combination of extensive experience in research and development, system integration and complex manufacturing processes,” says Mansuetti. “Bosch has unique competencies in all these areas. It is based on.”

The supplier began producing fuel rails at Anderson in 1985. Its business has expanded to several products within the Bosch Mobility Solutions business sector, such as sensors and electronic control units for powertrains.

A number of hydrogen-powered vehicles are planned for the US market. Nikola has piloted his test of a class 8 fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) prototype incorporating Bosch technology. Nikola recently completed a program focused on his Tre FCEV Alpha Pilot with Anheuser-Busch in California. These prototype trucks clocked over 12,000 miles (19,320 km) and carried 2 million pounds (907,200 kg) of cargo.

Bosch says it will be one of the first companies to enter the market in large-scale production to support hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles.Company recently announced We plan to invest more than $1 billion globally to develop mobile fuel cell technology by 2024.