BMW, the iconic Bavarian automaker, is partnering with Toyota to develop a hydrogen-powered BMW vehicle, with plans to launch it by 2028.
Key Developments:
BMW and Toyota recently confirmed their collaboration to introduce hydrogen-powered BMW cars to the market in 2028. These vehicles will proudly display the BMW badge while featuring Toyota’s third-generation fuel cell system, known for its superior efficiency.
Although BMW hasn’t specified which model will be the first to adopt this hydrogen powertrain, there’s speculation that it could be an SUV based on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform. This platform is set to underpin various electric and possibly hydrogen-powered models in the coming years.
Future SUV Possibility:
BMW has yet to reveal which model will receive the hydrogen-powered drivetrain, but given the company’s track record, an SUV seems likely. One example is the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, a mid-size SUV that Arab GT recently tested. Only about 100 units of this hydrogen-powered SUV will be produced. Considering BMW’s emphasis on hydrogen technology overcoming towing limitations in battery-electric vehicles, an SUV might be the first hydrogen-powered BMW to hit the roads.
Official Statement:
In a recent press conference, Michael Rath, Vice President of Hydrogen Vehicles at BMW Group, highlighted that BMW views hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as a different form of electric vehicle, using an alternative energy storage system. He pointed out that many components, such as electric motors and power electronics, are identical in both battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Rath explained that hydrogen fuel cells complement battery-electric vehicles by offering advantages in long-distance travel, heavy vehicle operation, and towing, areas where battery-electric vehicles face challenges.
The BMW Neue Klasse EV architecture, which will go into production next year in Hungary and Mexico and later in China, is flexible enough to accommodate hydrogen fuel tanks and a fuel cell system instead of a large battery pack. BMW will be using Toyota’s third-generation fuel cell stack, which is expected to be 50% cheaper to manufacture while providing 20% more range per kilogram of hydrogen.
Market and Infrastructure Considerations:
It’s possible that one of BMW’s future SUVs, built on the Neue Klasse platform, could offer a hydrogen-powered option for select markets. However, Michael Rath noted that any market launching a hydrogen-powered BMW would need a “dense” hydrogen refueling infrastructure. He referenced Japan, South Korea, and China as leading efforts in building hydrogen refueling stations. Additionally, the European Union has mandated the creation of hydrogen stations for fuel cell vehicles alongside DC fast-charging stations for electric cars.
Hydrogen is recognized as a critical component in global decarbonization efforts, but its role in personal transportation, particularly in regions like North America, remains uncertain. Rath emphasized that establishing DC fast chargers for electric vehicles is far more cost-effective than setting up a hydrogen refueling network for the same number of cars. This poses a challenge for the widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered BMWs.
That’s the latest update on BMW’s hydrogen-powered future, with the first models expected to hit the market by 2028.
