The aim is to launch a “series production” H2 passenger car earlier than the tip of 2028
BMW has introduced its intentions to launch “series production” hydrogen vehicles earlier than the shut of 2028, and it plans to take action with the help of Toyota, in accordance with a latest announcement from BMW.
The automakers will work collectively to create a brand-new gas cell powertrain
BMW and Toyota will collectively develop a brand new fuel cell powertrain for the hydrogen cars. It will likely be utilized in an H2 mannequin that shall be launched by BMW, and that may even later be integrated right into a future Toyota mannequin, stated a press launch.
BMW’s plan is to work the newly developed powertrain into an present mannequin, suggesting that the automaker’s technique includes an expectation for substantial gross sales quantity on this class.
The automaker has been working its approach again to hydrogen vehicles for some time
This transfer is in alignment with the feedback made by BMW CEO Oliver Zipse again in 2022, when he described his opinion on the promise of gas cells. Again at the moment, throughout an earnings name, he acknowledged that BMW would wish to develop and supply gas cell autos if it expects to have the ability to meet its electrification targets. Amongst these targets embrace making 50 % of the automaker’s gross sales quantity electrical by the tip of the last decade.
In line with Zipse, the automaker additionally had potential for adapting its future electrical car platform with a view to incorporate hydrogen vehicles as nicely. That stated, it has but to be made clear whether or not that’s the particular intention for the H2 mannequin it plans to launch in 2028.
Powering passenger autos with H2
BMW has labored with Toyota earlier than, and it has even carried out so within the H2 class. They as soon as labored collectively on the iX5, which was a gas cell various to the X5 SUV, which was geared up with BMW electrical drive components and a Toyota gas cell stack. The primary of these autos had been rolled out in 2022. That stated, the iX5 was created solely as a low-volume car, primarily used for testing and demonstrations.
Except for that, the automakers have additionally labored collectively on the BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra sports activities vehicles, although these fashions weren’t powered by electrical motors.
Is the market actually there for hydrogen vehicles?
Toyota has continued to promote its personal hydrogen vehicles within the type of the Mirai. That stated, that is nonetheless occurring in solely low numbers. Lots of the different automakers that had initially targeted on H2 for passenger autos have moved on to business vehicles, heavy equipment and different areas.
