WionDrive News Desk 
Arnd Franz, CEO of MAHLE, a significant player in the automotive sector, emphasized the transformative potential of hydrogen for rapidly achieving climate-neutral commercial vehicles. Speaking at the ‘Hydrogen Motor Live’ event hosted by the Hydrogen Motor Alliance e.V. at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) on June 30, Franz underscored hydrogen’s unique promise as a driving force for decarbonization, particularly within the commercial vehicle domain.
Franz, a member of the alliance, addressed industry peers and policymakers, asserting that hydrogen presents a pragmatic alternative to pure electric propulsion, particularly due to its economic viability for fleet operators. He noted that the total costs associated with fleet management hold the key to widespread adoption. Highlighting the complexity of mobility needs, Franz advocated for a diverse range of technologies, encouraging an open competition of ideas and concepts as the most efficient path towards climate neutrality.
Amid ongoing discussions on updating EU CO2 fleet targets for heavy commercial vehicles, Franz urged harnessing the potential of hydrogen and renewable fuels, complementing electrification efforts. He expressed MAHLE’s readiness for hydrogen engines, unveiling upcoming series production products tailored for construction and agricultural machinery. Many existing MAHLE components and products are already compatible with hydrogen applications, providing a stepping stone for operational hydrogen engines and the development of a Europe-wide refueling infrastructure.
MAHLE’s hydrogen test center in Stuttgart stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation. It serves as a hub for developing and rigorously testing hydrogen engine technologies and fuel cell drives. The engine components designed by MAHLE emphasize efficiency, reliability, minimal emissions, and competitive costs.
While envisioning a diverse future propulsion landscape, Franz predicted that battery-electric, hybrid drives, internal combustion engines, and hydrogen drives will collectively shape the propulsion mix. Nevertheless, he pointed out that these developments will diverge based on regional factors. Notably, internal combustion engines are projected to continue dominating the global commercial vehicle market after 2035, constituting around 60 percent of the landscape.
