As the automobile industry grapples with the uncertain future of electric vehicles, BMW and Toyota are teaming together to hedge their bets on hydrogen energy.
The two automakers struck an agreement this week to expand their partnership on hydrogen fuel cell technology and infrastructure development.
This will allow them to introduce a wider range of passenger cars with fuel cell systems, opening the way for BMW to launch its first mass-produced fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in 2028.
Although the product’s specifications are being kept under wraps, the German automaker has stated that it would be based on an existing model and will complement rather than replace its current electric vehicle strategy.
According to a joint statement made this week, BMW and Toyota will develop power train systems for passenger vehicles while maintaining their individual brand identities.
“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 stated.
“Powered by hydrogen and driven by the spirit of our co-operation, it will underscore how technological progress is shaping future mobility,” according to him.
BMW has experimented with hydrogen-powered vehicles since the 1970s. Earlier experimental models, including the 760Li in 2005, used internal combustion hydrogen powerplants, while the iX5 test fleet now uses FCEV power trains.
Toyota has been investing in hydrogen technology for over three decades and introduced the world’s first series production FCEV in 2014. The Mirai is already in its second generation, however it remains a low-volume product.
Toyota has been experimenting with internal combustion hydrogen power in previous years, but its latest initiative with BMW looks to be focused only on fuel cell vehicles.
Toyota has not revealed which FCEV hydrogen items it intends to sell later this decade, but it is expected to include a bakkie, considering that it has already built a hydrogen-powered Hilux concept vehicle.
