BMW plans to begin promoting hydrogen-powered automobiles in 4 years’ time in a bid to determine the know-how as a substitute for battery-electric automobiles.
The German luxurious automobile maker will develop a brand new era of fuel-cell powertrains with companion Toyota, it mentioned Thursday. Collection manufacturing will begin in 2028, with a hydrogen variant of an current BMW mannequin obtainable that 12 months.
Whereas BMW has for years pursued the know-how, automobiles with a gas cell are struggling to take off due to excessive prices and a scarcity of fueling infrastructure. There’s additionally little or no alternative, with Toyota’s Mirai and Hyundai’s Nexo among the many few fashions obtainable. World gross sales of hydrogen automobiles declined to only 9 000 items final 12 months.
Proponents of gas cells level to lengthy driving ranges and argue the know-how can show efficient in areas the place battery-charging infrastructure isn’t robust sufficient to help a transition to EVs. They burn hydrogen to supply electrical energy and emit solely water.
BMW and Toyota plan to make hydrogen powertrains collectively to be used in fashions from each automobile makers. They anticipate that joint growth and components procurement will assist drive down prices and make the know-how extra aggressive. BMW declined to touch upon costs for its future hydrogen automobiles.
Neue Klasse line
BMW has operated a small take a look at fleet of hydrogen-powered iX5 sport utility automobiles since 2023. CEO Oliver Zipse has beforehand mentioned that hydrogen drives could be an possibility for BMW’s Neue Klasse line of EVs as a consequence of launch subsequent 12 months.
“We’re satisfied that hydrogen will play a extra necessary position sooner or later,” Michael Rath, who heads BMW’s hydrogen car programme, advised reporters throughout a name on Thursday. — Wilfried Eckl-Dorna and Nicholas Takahashi, (c) 2024 Bloomberg LP
