BMW I Hydrogen Next at Frankfurt show

The BMW i Hydrogen Next fuel cell development vehicle will be unveiled at the IAA Cars 2019 Frankfurt motor show from September 12-22.

The BMW Group assumes various alternative types of drive system will exist alongside one another, as it says there is no single solution that covers the complete spectrum of customers’ mobility needs worldwide.

“Hydrogen vehicles represent an important alternative and addition to battery-electric drive systems,” it says.

In 2022, the BMW Group plans to present the next generation of hydrogen fuel cell electric (FCEV) drive systems in a small-series vehicle based on the current BMW X5.

The BMW i Hydrogen Next provides an initial glimpse of that, the car recognisable as a BMW i model.

The BMW Group would start offering FCEVs for customers in 2025 at the earliest, but it says the timing depends on market requirements and overall conditions.

Refuelling times of under four minutes, long range, no compromises in terms of comfort, suitability for towing and very little dependence on climatic conditions are offered.

A hydrogen infrastructure fit for the job is needed, still in early development stages in most countries,, the group says.

The BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation joined forces in 2013 to co-develop a drive system using hydrogen fuel cell technology. Since 2015, the BMW Group’s research wing has been testing a small fleet of prototype BMW 5 Series GT FCEVs powered by a jointly developed drive system with a Toyota fuel cell stack.

In 2016, the two companies signed a product development partnership agreement and have since been working on fuel cell drive systems and on scalable, modular components for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

In January 2017, the BMW Group and Toyota teamed up with 11 leading energy, transport and industrial companies to launch the Hydrogen Council global initiative to proceed with a hydrogen-fuelled energy revolution, the council now having 60 member companies.