BMW’s Hydrogen-Powered Vehicle Plans

BERLIN (Reuters) – BMW (ETR:BMWG) aims to introduce its first hydrogen-powered vehicle by 2028, utilizing fuel cell technology developed in collaboration with Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM) Corp, as announced on Thursday.

The vehicle will be based on an existing model incorporating a hydrogen fuel cell drive option, although further details, including pricing and production volume, have not been disclosed.

BMW CEO Oliver Zipse commented that the vehicle would “highlight how technological progress is shaping the mobility of the future.”

Their partnership with Toyota intends to lower costs and create a passenger car drive unit whose technology could be applied to commercial vehicles as well.

BMW stands as the leading advocate for hydrogen technology among German car manufacturers, with ongoing tests on the hydrogen passenger vehicle, the iX5 Hydrogen. This vehicle boasts a range of 500 km (approximately 310 miles) and can refuel within three to four minutes.

The company is developing both fuel cell and battery vehicle prototypes to prepare for whichever green technology prevails in the market.

A fuel cell vehicle operates an electric motor like an EV but generates power through a fuel stack that separates hydrogen via a catalyst to produce electricity.

While hydrogen-powered vehicles do offer quick refueling and extended range, investment in this technology is limited among automakers due to high costs and an inadequate fuel station network.

BMW anticipates that by 2028, hydrogen charging infrastructure will have improved significantly to support its plans.