As the automotive industry grapples with the uncertain future of electric vehicles, BMW and Toyota are joining forces to hedge their bets on hydrogen power.
The two car companies this week signed an agreement to strengthen their collaboration on hydrogen fuel cell technology and infrastructure development.
This will see them introducing an expanded range of passenger cars with fuel cell systems, paving the way for BMW to introduce its first mass-produced fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in 2028.
Although details on the product remain under wraps, the German carmaker said it would be based on an existing model, and that it would complement rather than replace its existing electric vehicle (EV) strategy.
BMW and Toyota said they would jointly develop the power train systems for passenger vehicles, but these models would still retain their individual brand identities, according to the joint statement released this week.
“This is a milestone in automotive history: the first-ever series production fuel cell vehicle to be offered by a global premium manufacturer,” BMW Board chairperson Oliver Zipse said.
“Powered by hydrogen and driven by the spirit of our co-operation, it will underscore how technological progress is shaping future mobility,” he said.
BMW has been dabbling with hydrogen-powered vehicles since the 1970s. The earlier earlier experimental models, such as the 760Li of 2005, had internal combustion hydrogen powerplants, while its more recent iX5 test fleet have FCEV power trains.
Toyota has been investing in hydrogen technology for over three decades now and launched the world’s first series production FCEV in 2014. This model, the Mirai, is now in its second generation but it’s not a high volume product.
Toyota has been experimenting with internal combustion hydrogen power in recent years, but its latest project in conjunction with BMW appears to centre around fuel cell vehicles only.
Toyota has not provided details on which FCEV hydrogen products it plans to launch later in the decade, but there is likely to be a bakkie in the picture, given that it has already developed a hydrogen-powered Hilux concept vehicle.
A plan to develop infrastructure
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are an enticing alternative to traditional EVs because they can be quickly refuelled and offer a relatively long driving range.
One of the reasons hydrogen has not taken off, besides the prohibitive cost of FCEV fuel cell stacks, has been a lack of infrastructure. It’s a bit of a chicken and egg problem.
BMW and Toyota are determined to solve it, through supporting the expansion of both hydrogen refuelling and battery electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The two companies said they would help encourage a sustainable hydrogen supply by creating demand and by working closely with companies that are building low-carbon hydrogen production, distribution and refuelling facilities.
“We are pleased that the collaboration between BMW and Toyota has entered a new stage,” Toyota President Koji Ssato said.
“In our long history of partnership, we have confirmed that BMW and Toyota share the same passion for cars and belief in ‘technology openness’ and a ‘multi-pathway’ approach to carbon neutrality.
“Based on these shared values, we will deepen our collaboration in efforts such as the joint development of next-generation fuel cell systems and the expansion of infrastructure, aiming for the realisation of a hydrogen society,” Sato concluded.
IOL Motoring