Bosch Rexroth and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Partner for Hydrogen Fuel Cells in Off-Highway Machinery

July 5, 2026

[Source not available in snippet] Japan

Overview

Bosch Rexroth and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have announced a strategic partnership to integrate hydrogen fuel cells into off-highway machinery, aiming for zero-emission powertrains. This collaboration will advance the practical application of hydrogen fuel cell technology in sectors like construction and mining, accelerating the decarbonization of heavy equipment. By combining their expertise, the partnership expects to enhance the durability and efficiency of fuel cells in demanding operational environments.

In Depth

Key Findings

Bosch Rexroth and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have announced a strategic partnership to integrate hydrogen fuel cells into off-highway machinery, which includes construction, agricultural, and mining vehicles. This collaboration represents a significant step towards achieving zero-emission powertrains within these heavy-duty equipment sectors.

Technical / Clinical Details

The partnership will merge Bosch Rexroth’s expertise in hydraulic and electronic control systems with Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ hydrogen fuel cell technology and extensive experience in heavy industry. The primary goal is to ensure the durability, efficiency, and reliability of fuel cells in the challenging off-highway environment. Specifically, efforts will focus on making fuel cell systems more compact, enhancing their resistance to vibrations and shocks, and optimizing their stable operation across a wide range of temperatures to suit construction and mining vehicles. This will enable a seamless transition from existing diesel-powered machinery to zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell-powered equipment.

Background & Context

Off-highway sectors such as construction, mining, and agriculture are under increasing pressure to decarbonize rapidly and mitigate air pollution. These machines typically require high power output and extended operating hours, making battery electric solutions challenging in many cases. Hydrogen fuel cells emerge as an optimal solution, offering rapid refueling and delivering comparable operating hours and power output to diesel, thus suiting the operational needs of heavy equipment in the field. A partnership between industry leaders like Bosch Rexroth and Kawasaki Heavy Industries sends a strong signal, accelerating the commercialization of hydrogen technology in this market segment.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The partnership between Bosch Rexroth and Kawasaki Heavy Industries is expected to drive significant advancements in the decarbonization of off-highway machinery. Hydrogen fuel cell systems developed through this collaboration are anticipated to be widely adopted in future construction sites, mines, and farms, substantially reducing the environmental impact of these industries. The long-term objective is to develop commercially competitive zero-emission heavy equipment, thereby accelerating the global transition to clean mobility. The joint development efforts of both companies will establish a crucial pathway for hydrogen fuel cell technology to become mainstream across a diverse range of industrial applications.

Source: #

Get our weekly technology intelligence — free

Receive an infographic that lets you judge at a glance whether each field’s analysis report is worth reading.

Subscribe Free — Weekly Tech Intelligence

By subscribing, you’ll receive Troy-Technical’s weekly technology intelligence newsletter.