The BMW Group introduced on Feb. 27 a demonstration fleet of hydrogen cars. The model, called BMW iX5 Hydrogen, uses fuel cells from Toyota and has a maximum speed of over 112 miles per hour. The pilot fleet is being assembled at a Munich facility.
Hydrogen is “the missing piece in the jigsaw when it comes to emission-free mobility,” said BMW CEO Oliver Zipse, adding that it is one of the most efficient ways of storing and transporting renewable energy and that it will play an essential role in the energy transition. “One technology on its own will not be enough to enable climate-neutral mobility worldwide,” Zipse also said.
Relevant: Toyota Announces Hydrogen Fuel Cell Version Of Its Hilux Pickup
The vehicle, which stores hydrogen in two tanks, can be filled up in three to four minutes. It will go into service next year with a fleet of under 100 cars, which will be employed internationally for demonstration and trial with diverse target groups.
The International Energy Agency describes hydrogen as a “versatile energy carrier,” which can be applied to various sectors, including industry and transport.
In addition to BMW, Toyota, Hyundai, and other car companies are also exploring hydrogen technology.
Hydrogen also has its opponents, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk saying in 2022 that it is “the most dumb thing I could possibly imagine for energy storage.”
Read more: Engineers Can Now Transform Existing Diesel Engine To Run On 90% Hydrogen Fuel Mix
