The year of ideas
What do the surprise egg, the Rubik's Cube, the catalytic converter and the engine-independent water heater from Eberspächer have in common? They are all celebrating their 50th birthday this year! In a year of innovation, Eberspächer launched its first water heater on the market in 1974. At the same time, the production of catalytic converters began.
A YEAR OF UPHEAVAL
16 September 2024 – 1974 marked a year of change in Germany. Numerous inventions brought color to the industry: Birkenstocks, Playmobil, the surprise egg and the VW Golf conquered the market. The pioneering spirit could also be felt in Esslingen am Neckar. 21 years after the first auxiliary heater rolled off the production line here, Eberspächer started series production of its first engine-independent water heater called "B/D 4W". In September 50 years ago, the German Federal Motor Transport Authority granted type approval, which allowed the heater to be sold and installed regardless of vehicle type. "This made the B/D 4W our first approved engine-independent water heater," says Uwe Grotstollen, Director Engineering & Testing, recounting the company's history. "It was presented to the public at the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt in the same year."
A CLASSIC TO THIS DAY
Water heaters are still among the classics in Eberspächer's product portfolio today. A lot has changed over the years: The modern design is smaller, lighter and more flexible to install in the vehicle. The heat exchanger is now made of cast iron or aluminum instead of sheet metal, and the motor is brushless, which extends its service life. The heating is no longer controlled mechanically, but electronically, and it automatically maintains the set temperature using sensors. "50 years ago, there were only two options, either on or off," explains Uwe Grotstollen. The current model, the Hydronic 3, is a real all-rounder. Thanks to its integration into the cooling water circuit, it not only heats the vehicle interior, but can also preheat the engine while the vehicle is stationary. "This makes the starting process gentler, puts less strain on the battery and saves both fuel and emissions," he explains. In campers, it also heats up the service water for showering or washing the dishes in conjunction with a boiler. In this way, the auxiliary heater still gets people in cars, trucks, special vehicles or even boats around the world through the cooler seasons in comfort.
FORESIGHT PAYS OFF
But 1974 brought more than just one innovation from Eberspächer. Series production of catalytic converters began for the US market. The US-Americans passed the first legal regulations for the reduction of pollutants in the exhaust gas of vehicle engines. The strictest regulations applied in California. From 1975, the limit values could only be complied there with the support of additional devices. Eberspächer was ahead of its time: While no similar regulations were in sight in Europe at the time, the company recorded a milestone with the start of production. This early experience in development and production paid off in the mid-1980s, when the catalytic converter obligation in several European countries led to a sudden increase in demand.
INNOVATIONS IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Today, the long-standing experts manufacture complex exhaust aftertreatment systems under the Purem by Eberspächer brand in order to meet the strictest emissions legislation worldwide. In addition, they are adapting their expertise in the field of exhaust gas aftertreatment for alternative technologies, including innovative approaches for hydrogen applications. For example, exhaust systems including catalytic converters for the hydrogen engine are currently under development. "Hydrogen engines also produce exhaust gases such as nitrogen oxide, a small number of particles via the dosing of the urea-water solution and very small quantities of unburned hydrocarbons from the engine oil path," explains Michael Mayer, Vice President Advanced Product Engineering at Purem by Eberspächer. "With the H2-ICE exhaust system, we are transferring our many years of knowledge to the CO2 -neutral fuel."