Can Bosch and PowerCell Fuel a Hydrogen Revolution?

The pair rev up mass production of the S3 stack to cut costs and spark a global shift to clean power.

16 Jun 2025

Bosch and Swedish innovator PowerCell have taken hydrogen out of the lab and into the factory. In June 2025 the two companies revealed a plan to mass-produce the compact S3 hydrogen fuel cell stack. Their goal: make hydrogen power affordable for transport and backup energy everywhere.

The S3 unit has already proven its mettle in heavy-duty trucks. Now Bosch holds extended rights to build and tweak the design for booming markets, especially in China. By cranking out units at scale, they aim to lower sticker prices by as much as 20% and clear one of hydrogen’s biggest hurdles.

Flexibility sits at the heart of the partnership. Bosch will adapt the S3 to meet tough emissions standards in Europe, bolster energy security in Asia, and fit a range of uses from logistics fleets to remote power backups. That adaptability could give the S3 a leg up as companies seek zero-emission alternatives.

“This is how we turn innovation into industry,” says PowerCell CEO Richard Berkling. “Together we are scaling the future of clean energy.” His words underscore the blend of PowerCell’s breakthrough technology with Bosch’s manufacturing muscle and global supply network.

Still, scaling fast comes with risks. Fuel cells rely on precious metals like platinum, and tight supplies could bottleneck output. Industry watchers also wonder if fewer firms designing stacks might curb creative tweaks down the road. For now, however, speed wins the day.

By teaming up, Bosch and PowerCell are staking a claim that hydrogen is beyond niche. As fleets, utilities, and governments push for zero-emission power, this alliance could reshape how the world fuels vehicles and plants off-grid sites. If they succeed, the S3 might prove that hydrogen’s moment has finally arrived.