Bosch Unveils Speedy Heating System To Reduce Exhaust Emissions

The new Rapid Catalyst Heating system can cut emissions by up to 70% by quickly heating a vehicle's catalytic converter.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 7:04pm

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Sweeping, abstract streaks of vibrant color and motion, conceptually representing the speed and energy of an automobile exhaust system.Bosch's new heating system aims to quickly warm up catalytic converters, reducing vehicle emissions through innovative engineering.Farmington Hills Today

Auto supplier Bosch has developed a new system called Rapid Catalyst Heating (RCH) that can reduce tailpipe emissions by up to 70% by quickly heating a vehicle's catalytic converter to its optimal operating temperature. The RCH system uses a fuel-based auxiliary burner to directly heat the exhaust stream, allowing the catalytic converter to reach its 'light off' temperature in just 9-10 seconds, much faster than relying on the engine to heat it up.

Why it matters

Catalytic converters are a critical emissions control component, but they are only effective once they reach a high enough temperature. Bosch's new RCH system addresses this issue by rapidly heating the catalytic converter, especially during cold starts or quick accelerations when emissions are highest. This could lead to significant reductions in harmful pollutants from vehicles.

The details

The RCH system uses a 25 kilowatt fuel-based auxiliary burner that delivers thermal energy directly into the exhaust stream to quickly heat the catalytic converter. This is more efficient than relying on the engine to heat the catalyst, which can take 20-30 seconds. The RCH system is designed to heat the catalyst to its 450°C 'light off' temperature in just 9-10 seconds. It runs on a 12V electrical system, unlike electric catalyst heaters that require more expensive 48V systems. Bosch says RCH could reduce emissions by 30-40% in hybrid vehicles when the gas engine is needed after running on electric power.

  • Bosch started developing the RCH system about 4 years ago.
  • The RCH system is not yet ready for production vehicles, but Bosch is actively discussing it with automakers.

The players

Bosch

An auto supplier that has developed the Rapid Catalyst Heating (RCH) system to quickly heat a vehicle's catalytic converter and reduce emissions.

Mohammad Fatouraie

Director of systems engineering in Bosch's Power Solutions division.

Ryan O'Donnell

Technical lead on the RCH system development at Bosch.

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What they’re saying

“Rather than using the engine to heat your catalyst, you're directly putting the heat into the catalyst.”

— Mohammad Fatouraie, Director of systems engineering, Bosch Power Solutions division

“To simplify the strategy, we're saying, start the heater, continue burning at constant power output, that 25 kilowatts, until we reach a temperature in the catalyst that is 450 degrees C, and then it just shuts off for this catalyst package, it's somewhere around nine to 10 seconds.”

— Ryan O'Donnell, Technical lead, Bosch

What’s next

Bosch is currently working with automakers to demonstrate the RCH technology and get it incorporated into their future product roadmaps, though it will still take some time before the system is ready for production vehicles.

The takeaway

Bosch's new Rapid Catalyst Heating system represents an innovative approach to quickly warming up a vehicle's catalytic converter, which is crucial for reducing harmful emissions, especially during cold starts and quick accelerations. If adopted by automakers, this technology could lead to significant reductions in pollutants from vehicles.