The German auto supplier Bosch Group said on Wednesday that it will expedite its transition to electrification by investing more than $200 million to develop fuel cell stacks at its South Carolina factory.
The technology company will increase the size of its current Anderson location to accommodate fuel cell production, which is anticipated to begin in 2026, and provide at least 350 new employees. The facility’s fuel cell stacks will power hydrogen-powered vehicles that the business says will soon be on American highways.
By 2045, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from heavy vehicles by 47% to 60%, which will compel the industry to switch to hybrid and electric powertrains.
A fuel-cell power module is a technology that primarily powers commercial vehicles and produces energy from hydrogen. Bosch and Nikola Corp (NKLA.O) agreed to a contract last year for the production of Bosch fuel-cell power modules.