Top selling car brand reveals plans to launch its first hydrogen-powered vehicle within three years
A TOP-SELLING car brand has unveiled plans to unleash a hydrogen-powered vehicle within three years.
It comes as part of a collab with another huge motor maker in a bid to get more hydrogen vehicles hitting the market.
BMW wants to launch its first by 2028, joining forces with Toyota to develop fuel-cell technology.
The new car will be based on an existing BMW model to be refitted with new hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Details on price and production have not yet been revealed.
BMW is betting hydrogen charging infrastructure will be developed significantly by the launch date.
BMW boss Oliver Zipse said: “This is a milestone in automotive history.
“Powered by hydrogen and driven by the spirit of our cooperation, it will underscore how technological progress is shaping future mobility.”
BMW already has a fleet of hydrogen iX5 vehicles, although they aren’t for sale.
They have a range of 310 miles and can refuel in just 3-4 minutes – far quicker than EVs.
Hydrogen cars drive like electric vehicles, but the difference is how the energy is stored.
There is no electricity in the battery – instead, hydrogen stored in tanks is converted into electrical energy.
BMW and Toyota have long shared a vision for strong hydrogen cars sold alongside electric ones.
Toyota’s president Koji Sato said: “BMW and Toyota share the same passion for cars and belief in technology openness and a multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality.”
Toyota introduced the Mirai – a hydrogen alternative – to the UK market as far back as 2015.
But take up of hydrogen cars has been slow due to lack of infrastructure and pricing concerns.
Public hydrogen stations are set to be boosted, however.
The UK Government recently announced an £8million grant to startup Element 2, promising to build four new stations.
Meanwhile, the European Union is also looking at ways to boost hydrogen infrastructure.
The EU is aiming to have one every 124 miles by 2031.