World map of automotive powertrains: how people drive in Europe, the Americas, and Asia
Bosch has mapped out automotive powertrain trends from across the globe, enabling some interesting observations about driving habits around the world. For example, every fifth new vehicle in Japan is a hybrid, spark-ignition engines predominate in China, and diesel holds sway in Europe and India
Gasoline engines
Worldwide, gasoline engines are the most popular powertrain. China leads the field: there, nearly 100% of all new car purchasers choose a gasoline engine. In the US and Japan, the figure is roughly 75%. Engines with port-fuel injection still feature in more than every second gasoline-powered vehicle. Downsizing is becoming ever more popular, and with it the efficient and economical Bosch gasoline direct injection systems. Combining gasoline direct injection with downsizing can reduce fuel consumption by up to 15%. At the same time, turbocharging helps the engine deliver more torque, especially at low engine speeds. This improves acceleration and adds to driving enjoyment.
Diesel
In the EU and India, every second new car is a diesel. But outside these core markets, the diesel is becoming increasingly popular. The United States, for example, is a growth market. Bosch estimates that diesel’s market share there will rise from 3% today to as much as 10% in 2018. In South Korea as well, diesel is becoming more and more popular. For many Europeans, its benefits are already clear: a modern diesel consumes as much as 25% less fuel than a comparable gasoline engine, and delivers as much as 40% more torque.
Hybrid and electric vehicles
In Japan, nearly every fifth new car now features a hybrid powertrain. This makes the country the undisputed pioneer of electrification. In just a few years, registrations of hybrids will be significantly higher outside Japan as well. Bosch forecasts that of a predicted 113 million total vehicles sold worldwide in 2020, 6.5 million will be strong hybrids, 3 million will be plug-in hybrids, and 2.5 million will be all-electric (assuming a total of 113 million vehicles sold in 2020). Even now, Bosch is developing a broad product portfolio for this mass market. It ranges from hybrid systems to plug-in hybrids and powertrains for all-electric vehicles. In addition, Bosch is developing entry-level hybrids based on a 48V electrical system.
Flex fuel
Powertrains that can drive on both gasoline and alcohol (ethanol) are especially prominent in Brazil. The second largest market for this technology is the United States. The Bosch systems run on pure ethanol as well as any mixture of ethanol and gasoline. Drivers are more independent, since such a flex-fuel system allows them to choose the more affordable ethanol.
CNG
Worldwide, CNG powertrains are becoming increasingly popular. For ten years now, sales have been growing worldwide by 25%. In South Korea, CNG-powered vehicles have already captured an 11% share of the market. Bosch offers a complete system that allows vehicles to run on this inexpensive fuel at all times. This is a significant advantage for drivers, since CNG is up to 50% cheaper than gasoline, and can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25%.