The two manufacturers will be working together to develop a third-generation fuel cell. The fuel cell will be used in mobility applications, including cars with new FCEV models from both BMW and Toyota.
This announcement shatters the prevailing scepticism about the use of hydrogen for cars. This morning, BMW and Toyota announced a new phase in their partnership, which began in 2012. After more than a decade of fruitful cooperation, the Munich-based premium carmaker and the Nagoya-based giant are going to make it possible for hydrogen to be used in cars, alongside batteries, plug-in hybrids and combustion engines. “This is a milestone in automotive history,” comments Olivier Zipse, BMW’s CEO. “The first-ever series production fuel cell vehicle to be offered by a global premium manufacturer.”
Until now, Toyota has been on its own with Hyundai. There have already been two generations of Mirai, but it has not yet been a success. As for BMW, it has produced several dozen examples of the iX5 Hydrogen, a highly accomplished vehicle that is still intended as a demonstrator. The next step is series production, with a target date of 2028. It will be a variant of an existing model, most likely the X5, based on the Neue Klasse platform. But there should be others.
A cooperation going beyond the fuel cell
As Koji Sato, President of Toyota, explains, “We will deepen our collaboration in efforts such as the joint development of next-generation fuel cell systems and the expansion of infrastructure.”
Regarding fuel cells, the two manufacturers will jointly develop a third-generation fuel cell. It will meet the needs of both BMW and Toyota FCEV models, as well as commercial vehicles. Cooperation on development and purchasing will help to reduce costs.
As for infrastructure, the two partners plan to support the development of a network of refuelling stations to complement the electric charging points. To make it happen, they will be approaching local or regional projects to help producers of low-carbon hydrogen through cooperation. This solution is seen as the missing piece of the jigsaw on the road to zero emissions.
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Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King
