Bosch partners with fuel-cell group Ceres Power; VW CEO calls for European production of e-vehicle battery cells

German automotive supplier Bosch will enter into partnership with United Kingdom-based Ceres Power to develop solid-oxide fuel-cell (SOFC) technology, which could be used in cities, data centres, and factories and as a power source for electric vehicle charging stations, Bosch has announced in a press release. SOFC technology uses an electrochemical conversion in the fuel cell stack to derive electricity from fuels such as natural gas and hydrogen. In a separate interview with the Handelsblatt, Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess expressed concern that German automakers have become dependent on Asian firms for battery cells and said that domestic suppliers should invest in battery technology. “I believe that we need and can develop this technology in Europe, with expertise that goes beyond the capabilities of Asian cell producers,” he said.

Read the press release in English here and the interview (behind paywall) in German here.

For background, read the dossiers The energy transition’s effect on jobs and business and The Energiewende and German carmakers.