About the Hydrogen Powertrain & Fuel Cell Division
More than three years ago, the Powertrain & Commercial Transport department was established at ACONEX. Since then, Thorsten and his team have been working on developing and optimizing powertrain technologies for commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses, and vans. Their focus is on improving efficiency, reducing emissions, and integrating innovative technologies.
“The future lies in electrified powertrains, hybrid solutions, and hydrogen-based technologies such as H2 combustion engines and fuel cells,” Thorsten explains. These trends also took center stage at this year’s IAA for commercial vehicles, clearly signaling where the market is heading.
In recent years, Thorsten’s team has significantly expanded ACONEXT’s expertise in areas such as:
- E-axles and transmissions
- Thermal management
- Complete vehicle packaging
- Hydrogen tank development
- Fuel cell development and integration
The team works closely with vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, both on-site and from the ACONEXT offices in Fellbach.
Innovation Meets Cost Efficiency
Balancing innovative development with associated costs is one of the biggest challenges faced by the Powertrain & Commercial Transport team.
“In the commercial vehicle sector, three different powertrain concepts are being developed simultaneously. But which technology will prevail?” Thorsten leaves this question unanswered, eager to see how the future of commercial vehicles will unfold.
While battery-electric powertrains and gas engines have long been established, range and development costs remain pivotal factors shaping the future. Hydrogen shows great promise, but the infrastructure development lags behind in comparison to vehicle technology.
Ultimately, operating costs will determine what matters most to logistics companies. “At present, no manufacturer can confidently predict which powertrain concept will dominate the market and recoup development costs in the long run,” Thorsten notes.
Looking Ahead
Thorsten believes that close collaboration with partners and customers is key to developing sustainable solutions. He is confident that innovation in this field has the potential to reshape not only the commercial vehicle sector but also the broader mobility industry.
Stay tuned for more exciting insights into the work of ACONEXT’s Subject Matter Experts and discover how we are actively shaping the mobility of the future!
