Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management at BMW AG, poses with its fuel cell vehicles at the company’s headquarters in Munich, Germany. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
BMW plans to launch its first-ever series production fuel cell electric vehicle in 2028, offering an additional emission-free powertrain option, said the German carmaker on Thursday.
Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management at BMW, called it “a milestone in automotive history” as it will be the first-ever series production fuel cell vehicle from a global premium manufacturer.
The German company views it as complementing the drive technology used by battery electric vehicles and next to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and internal combustion engines.
The announcement came after BMW and Toyota inked a deal earlier this week to pool their innovative strength and technological capabilities to bring a new generation of fuel cell powertrain technology to the roads.
The two companies will develop the powertrain system for passenger vehicles, with the core fuel cell technology creating synergies for both commercial and passenger vehicle applications.
The result of this collaborative effort will be utilized in individual models from both BMW and Toyota and will expand the range of FCEV options available to customers, they said.
“Powered by hydrogen and driven by the spirit of our cooperation, it will underscore how technological progress is shaping future mobility,” said Zipse.
Toyota President Koji Sato said the two companies will deepen collaboration in efforts such as the joint development of next-generation fuel cell systems and the expansion of infrastructure, aiming for the realization of a hydrogen society.