Hybrid Cars: Bosch’s Strategic Gamble Until 2035

Bosch forecasts that combustion engine cars will maintain dominance in North America at least until 2035. However, these won’t be purely gasoline-powered. The manufacturer estimates that around 70% of cars in the regional market will be equipped with internal combustion engines as part of hybrid power units or as range extenders for electric vehicles.

As noted by Bosch’s president in North America, Paul Thomas, the company adheres to a balanced approach to automotive transformation. According to him, Bosch pays equal attention to the development of electric vehicles, hybrids, and traditional cars with gasoline engines, which he called “natural traction.”

Car manufacturers are increasingly focusing on hybrid solutions, where the internal combustion engine does not drive the wheels but is used solely to recharge the battery. This approach reduces dependence on charging infrastructure and increases vehicle versatility. U.S. automakers have already begun to shift from pure electric vehicles in favor of hybrids.

For instance, the initially purely electric Ford F-150 Lightning will transform into a hybrid, and the new brand Scout, backed by Volkswagen, initially planned variants of its cars with both a purely electric system and a hybrid one. Volkswagen’s strategy involves leveraging the Scout brand’s legacy for rugged, versatile vehicles adapted for modern demands and infrastructure limits.

Looking ahead, Bosch continues to invest heavily in new technologies, including those that improve battery efficiency and combustion engine integration. Innovations such as improved energy recovery systems in hybrids are being introduced across North America. These advancements could see higher adoption rates, especially as infrastructure for charging electric vehicles is only gradually catching up to consumer needs.