BMW announced that it will add a hydrogen-powered vehicle to its lineup in 2028. This new model will be a hydrogen-electric vehicle featuring a next-generation powertrain developed in collaboration with Toyota, which also plans to utilize this powertrain in its own vehicles.
A hydrogen-electric vehicle is akin to a battery-electric vehicle but relies on a hydrogen fuel cell stack for energy instead of a charged battery. Such vehicles often include a battery that provides additional power during high-load situations.
Since late 2022, BMW has been producing hydrogen-electric X5 SUVs, although in very low volumes. These vehicles have been strictly for testing and demonstration purposes and have never been offered to the public.
The hydrogen-electric vehicle set to launch in 2028 will be a regular production model, confirmed by BMW as a variant of an existing model line.
Much like Toyota, BMW aims to provide customers with a variety of powertrain options, including gas powertrains, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric vehicles, and hydrogen-electric vehicles. However, the lack of charging infrastructure remains a significant hurdle for prospective EV buyers, and hydrogen infrastructure is nearly nonexistent.
To tackle this issue, BMW and Toyota view the development of hydrogen-electric passenger vehicles as a strategy to generate demand. Both companies are also collaborating with energy firms specializing in the production and distribution of low-carbon hydrogen.
Last fall, Toyota showcased a pilot plant capable of converting biogas into hydrogen. Toyota, along with several other companies including Bosch, Ferrari, and Porsche, is also exploring internal combustion engines designed to operate on hydrogen, primarily for motorsport applications rather than production vehicles.
When burning hydrogen, engines emit zero carbon emissions. However, they also produce harmful nitrogen oxides that must be treated using urea-based selective catalytic reduction, similar to modern diesel engines.
