This car will use Toyota’s highly effective third-generation fuel-cell stack, which is noted for having a 20% longer range per kilogram of hydrogen than earlier models and being 50% less expensive to create. Although BMW hasn’t said which vehicle will have this new drivetrain, it’s probably an SUV based on the adaptable Neue Klasse platform, which can support hydrogen fuel cells and battery electric systems.
The vice president of hydrogen vehicles at BMW Group, Michael Rath, stressed that fuel-cell vehicles are basically electric cars with a different kind of energy storage. He emphasized that hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) share similar components, such as electric motors and power electronics. Rath pointed out that hydrogen powertrains offer benefits in long-distance driving, towing capability, and performance in larger vehicles, making them a good complement to BEVs.
Production of the Neue Klasse EV architecture is slated to begin in Hungary, Mexico, and then China, positioning it to complement this hydrogen initiative. However, the development of a strong fuelling infrastructure is a prerequisite for the widespread use of hydrogen vehicles.According to Rath, for markets to successfully accept hydrogen, there must be a “very dense” network of hydrogen stations. Several nations are aggressively investing in this infrastructure, including members of the European Union, South Korea, China, and Japan. On the other hand, the more expensive establishment of hydrogen fuelling stations in North America than electric vehicle charging networks presents a barrier.
Hydrogen is predicted to contribute significantly to the worldwide energy decarbonization process, however in areas without sufficient fueling infrastructure, its effects on private mobility are still unknown.
