Image: BMW
Electrification may not be the only short term solution to greener mobility since Toyota and BMW, arguably two of the largest household names in the automotive world, have joined forces to mass produce fuel cell vehicles.
Image: BMW
The two automaking giants have been shacked-up for some time now, officially commencing a partnership deal in 2013. Enthusiasts received the MKV Supra and the drop-top BMW Z4 and despite naysayers spewing negative words towards the provenance of the creations, here is another benefit to come from the collaboration – both parties will start expediting the process of fuel cell vehicles to have production commence as soon as 2025.
In an interview with Nikkei Asia, Pieter Nota, BMW sales chief went into detail of the possibility and probability for this form of propulsion manifesting itself in their future portfolio. No exact details relating to the fuel cell vehicles were mentioned but he did say that hydrogen will be “particularly relevant for larger SUVs.”
The first Bavarian model using this technology in production scale will be the iX5, which was ushered into the world as a Hydrogen Concept at the Munich Motor Show in 2021. Production of this model will begin in limited numbers towards the end of the year after BMW has invested in future combustion engines while also intending on branching into the EV market by the end of the decade. Between all of its subsidiaries which includes Mini and Rolls-Royce, BMW intends on having 50% of its sales being EV by 2030.
It made sense to leverage Toyota for insight into fuel cell vehicles since the Japanese automaker has dabbled with the technology since the 1990s and has the mass-produced 2015 Mirai to show for it.
The iX5 Hydrogen Concept was capable of 125 kW although no range was mentioned but we can expect conclusive statistics on the alternatively powered BMW closer towards its launch – a momentous one for the Bavarian based brand.
Keyword: Fuel cell vehicles the potential future of BMW and Toyota after partnering