BMW AG has announced plans to introduce hydrogen-powered vehicles within the next four years as part of its strategy to diversify alternative fuel technologies. The German luxury automobile manufacturer is teaming up with Toyota Motor Corp. to develop a new generation of fuel-cell powertrains, with series production slated to begin in 2028. The collaboration aims to bring a hydrogen variant of an existing BMW model to market by that year.
Despite ongoing interest and development, hydrogen fuel-cell cars have yet to achieve widespread adoption due to high production costs and limited refueling infrastructure. Currently, the market for hydrogen vehicles is dominated by a few models, such as Toyota’s Mirai and Hyundai’s Nexo, with global sales of hydrogen-powered cars falling to just 9,000 units last year.
BMW and Toyota’s joint effort will focus on advancing fuel-cell technology and driving down costs through shared development and procurement of components. The two companies believe that this collaborative approach will enhance the competitiveness of hydrogen powertrains and support broader adoption of the technology. BMW has not yet disclosed pricing details for its forthcoming hydrogen-powered models.
Since 2023, BMW has been testing a small fleet of hydrogen-powered iX5 SUVs, marking a significant step in its exploration of this technology. The company’s CEO, Oliver Zipse, has hinted that hydrogen power could be incorporated into BMW’s upcoming “Neue Klasse” line of electric vehicles, which is set to launch next year.
Hydrogen fuel cells offer the advantage of long driving ranges and quick refueling times, making them a potential solution in areas where the infrastructure for battery-electric vehicles is underdeveloped. By emitting only water as a byproduct, hydrogen-powered vehicles present an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional combustion engines and even some battery-electric models.
With the planned introduction of its hydrogen vehicles, BMW is positioning itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of alternative automotive technologies, paving the way for a more diverse and sustainable future in transportation.
Read Also: Ilya Sutskever Secures $1 Billion for New AI Venture Safe Superintelligence
