BMW Tests Hydrogen Fuel Cell Drive Train

Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr +
  • The BMW Group is beginning to test near-standard vehicles with a hydrogen fuel cell drive train in everyday conditions on European roads.
  • Prototypes of the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT will examine how effectively the CO2-free drive train, model-specific chassis technology and vehicle electronics systems work together under real-life conditions.

The BMW i Hydrogen NEXT is a pure electric vehicle that uses hydrogen as fuel by converting it into electricity in a fuel cell. The recently launched testing programme will pave the way for the BMW Group to present a small-series model with this sustainable drive technology, developed on the basis of the BMW X5, in late 2022. Extensive field testing of these vehicles will provide practical experience in the use of this sustainable drive technology.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology has the long-term potential to supplement internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrid systems and battery-electric vehicles within the BMW Groupโ€™s flexible drive train strategy. It could become an attractive alternative to battery-electric drive trains โ€“ especially for customers who do not have their own access to electric charging infrastructure or who frequently drive long distances. โ€œHydrogen fuel cell technology can be an attractive option for sustainable drive trains โ€“ especially in larger vehicle classes,โ€ according to Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. โ€œThat is why road testing of near-standard vehicles with a hydrogen fuel cell drive train is an important milestone in our research and development efforts.โ€

Like the fuel tank of a conventional combustion-engine model, the hydrogen tank of the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT can also be filled within three to four minutes with a fuel that ensures a range of several hundred kilometres in all weather conditions.

Author: Bryan Groenendaal

Share.

Leave A Reply

About Author

Green Building Africa promotes the need for net carbon zero buildings and cities in Africa. We are fiercely independent and encourage outlying thinkers to contribute to the #netcarbonzero movement. Climate change is upon us and now is the time to react in a more diverse and broader approach to sustainability in the built environment. We challenge architects, property developers, urban planners, renewable energy professionals and green building specialists. We also challenge the funding houses and regulators and the role they play in facilitating investment into green projects. Lastly, we explore and investigate new technology and real-time data to speed up the journey in realising a net carbon zero environment for our children.

Copyright Green Building Africa 2024.