BMW sets 2028 as production date for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles

BMW, a leading German automaker, formally announced plans to begin mass production of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in 2028. This decision stems from a considerable investment in the retooling of their Steyr production plant, where prototypes of the third generation fuel cell systems are currently being developed. These prototypes are significantly smaller than the fuel cells used in the 2023 BMW iX5 pilot program while maintaining the same power output due to enhanced power density. The advancement of BMW's hydrogen fuel cell technology is a collaborative effort with Toyota. They have been working closely to integrate Toyota's expertise in fuel cell technology with BMW's capabilities in developing comprehensive fuel-cell systems. This marks a significant evolution from BMW's earlier combustion engines that utilized liquid hydrogen and reflects the shift towards sustainable energy sources within the automotive industry. The third generation of BMW's fuel cells is designed for both passenger and commercial vehicle applications. The fuel cell EVs will utilize smaller, lighter, and more affordable battery packs compared to battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) since fuel cells generate electricity on-the-go by combining hydrogen with oxygen drawn from the air, producing only water vapor as a byproduct. Unlike traditional fully charged battery electric vehicles, FCEVs can maintain their energy levels during operation, resulting in vehicles that are effectively self-charging. This innovation comes amid ongoing competition in the market for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, with other manufacturers like Hyundai, Audi, and their partner Toyota advancing their own models. For instance, Toyota’s Mirai, launched in 2014, has seen limited market penetration but remains a vital part of their strategy. BMW’s hydrogen fuel cell EVs aim to improve convenience with refueling times taking just three minutes, significantly quicker than the refueling times for typical BEVs. This could enhance the practicality of hydrogen vehicles, particularly in regions with robust hydrogen infrastructure.