BMW and Toyota plan to launch jointly-built fuel cell cars in 2025
The long-standing partnership between BMW and Toyota in the field of green cars is about to bear fruit. As Autoblog explains, BMW sales chief Pieter Nota told Nikkei in an interview that brands aim to sell battery-powered vehicles at hydrogen fuel cells jointly developed as early as 2025. Nota didn't hint at what to expect, but pointed out that fuel cells are "particularly relevant" for large SUVs like the iX5 Hydrogen concept (above). Small-volume production of the iX5 is expected to begin by the end of this year.
BMW and Toyota have collaborated on many cars over the years, including the recent revival of the Supra sports car. They formalized their technology alliance for green vehicles in early 2013, but did not expect to complete work on an inclusive fuel cell system until 2020.
It may seem strange to continue working on hydrogen vehicles at a time when electric vehicles are much more popular. However, Nota pointed out a number of familiar defenses for the technology. Fuel cell cars can be charged in just a few minutes, while electric vehicles take several times longer to charge, for example. Nota also said that BMW does not want to devote all of its investment to a single technology and that hydrogen models are not as prone to supply shortages as their electric counterparts.
Be that as it may, BMW may soon be accelerating the development of electric vehicles. Pure electric cars accounted for a bigger share of sales than expected, and Nota suggested the company could hit its 50% EV sales target (including brands like Mini and Rolls-Royce) "one or two years earlier” than the current 2030 target. Although BMW still has an interest in the world of combustion engines, that might not last long.
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The long-standing partnership between BMW and Toyota in the field of green cars is about to bear fruit. As Autoblog explains, BMW sales chief Pieter Nota told Nikkei in an interview that brands aim to sell battery-powered vehicles at hydrogen fuel cells jointly developed as early as 2025. Nota didn't hint at what to expect, but pointed out that fuel cells are "particularly relevant" for large SUVs like the iX5 Hydrogen concept (above). Small-volume production of the iX5 is expected to begin by the end of this year.
BMW and Toyota have collaborated on many cars over the years, including the recent revival of the Supra sports car. They formalized their technology alliance for green vehicles in early 2013, but did not expect to complete work on an inclusive fuel cell system until 2020.
It may seem strange to continue working on hydrogen vehicles at a time when electric vehicles are much more popular. However, Nota pointed out a number of familiar defenses for the technology. Fuel cell cars can be charged in just a few minutes, while electric vehicles take several times longer to charge, for example. Nota also said that BMW does not want to devote all of its investment to a single technology and that hydrogen models are not as prone to supply shortages as their electric counterparts.
Be that as it may, BMW may soon be accelerating the development of electric vehicles. Pure electric cars accounted for a bigger share of sales than expected, and Nota suggested the company could hit its 50% EV sales target (including brands like Mini and Rolls-Royce) "one or two years earlier” than the current 2030 target. Although BMW still has an interest in the world of combustion engines, that might not last long.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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