Image: BMW
Image: BMW
Describing a viable hydrogen car, BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse believes the German automaker can achieve this by the close of the decade as an alternative to electrification.
Image: BMW
Not everyone wants electric vehicles and not everywhere at the moment is capable of handling the novel form of propulsion. BMW are now at the forefront of the automotive industry by pioneering a viable hydrogen car that they believe could arrive by the end of the decade.
Speaking at the launch of the Rolls-Royce Spectre, Oliver Zipse, BMW Group CEO stated: “We believe in hydrogen for many reasons. We believe that – and I’m speaking now from the BMW side but that ends up being for every brand in the Group – if you want to ride emissions-free and you do not have a charging station, this is the only possibility we have. In some areas to implement a hydrogen infrastructure is easier than an electric infrastructure, for example in areas where you don’t have any connection to a power grid. For hydrogen, you just need the tank.”
Image: BMW
The German firm has made it public knowledge that they are in the testing phase of a hydrogen-powered X5 which is the most logical model to carry the alternative powertrain which is being touted for development by the end of the decade. The fuel cell powertrain has been collecting mileage in some of the harshest conditions to determine its viability in comparison to its standard counterparts.
Although Zipse only mentioned they were serious about a viable hydrogen car, it is still unknown exactly which BMW model may be the first to proudly wear the future technology with pride. He further added that its unlikely that hydrogen technology will feature in Rolls-Royce models anytime soon although he hasn’t ruled the possibility out.
Keyword: BMW confident of a viable hydrogen car by the end of the decade